hello ladies....how are you all doing?

I took a ton of pictures from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day that it isn't even funny! I am in the process now of uploading them onto myspace.....but it is taking a while to get them on there!

the kids had a great Christmas! they got some really cute things! Tommy's aunt and uncle got all three of them a tent and a tunnel to play in from Ikea. Another set of tommy's aunt and uncle's got the boys their own RC Silverados and got Marissa a little Chinese outfit. (it is really cute, I think she is going to wear it on New Year's Eve)

other then that....nothing really new! we are meeting my dad on Wednesday afternoon to pick up my sister and then probably walking around the mall for a little bit. besides that, we aren't really doing much, just gearing up now to host New Year's Eve.

Hi All. :wave:

Well I Christmas was good. Dinner was good and my inlaws got me way too much stuff. I felt totally stupid giving my mil a stupid candle. lol. I know its not all about $$ but still made me feel bad. :(

But I guess we're sorta giving her a present today, DH is taking her and FIL to the dr and doing shopping for them since they are unable to drive right now. Not much, but it helps, even though DH is a big huge Grump.......lol

Well that is about it. Back to work tonight..........then my normal 4 nights off.......I was thinking about emailling my boss asking him if I could possibly get off an hour early tomorrow, but not sure if I should.....its only an hour, but they say that right around the normal time I get off sleet is supposed to start, so if I could leave early, avoid the morning hr rush, etc........I guess all he could tell me is no or just totally ignore me. lol.

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

:hug:

Sassy~ How is the weather by you? Did the sleet start? (or is that tomorrow, as in Thursday morning?)

nothing new on this end.....just checking my email and putzing around online while waiting to go pick up my sister and do a little bit of shopping with her!

Hi All.....

Glad you all had a Great Christmas.......Only 6 1/2 more hours for me to go! :woohoo: My boss called, said I could leave an hour early in the AM. :) Which is good news. ;)

Oh DH heard about the supervisor job -- he didn't get it. He is kinda bummed about it of course, but like I told him, maybe he is meant to get something better........I know that doesn't help any, but you never know.

Mindee -- nope the sleet hasn't started yet, supposed to start in the AM.....I am in Ohio.

That is about all from my end, at least for now.

Take Care Everybody!

:hug:

Sassy~ You are close to me....I am in MI. We were in Ohio back in July for two weekends in a row.

Hello ladies...

Sorry for being MIA for so long...was busy and then came down with something. Not sure what, but still feeling ill. Christmas sucked, sort of. It was nice in that we were together, a nice quiet day at home but I was sick and slept most of the day and night, the other half was spent in the bathroom throwing up, yuck! Talked with the doc on Wednesday when I had the stitches removed and she just thinks it is a virus...a stupid virus that won't go away. Anyway, if I am still feeling bad tomorrow going to call her, can't deal with this. To top it off, another storm is headed our way with another 2-6 inches of the horrible stuff again!

KATY...we did have a white Christmas...stuff is still hanging around. And we are supposed to get more tonight. Hope you guys are enjoying your week long Christmas :)

MINDEE...finally checked my myspace today and saw the pictures, they are so cute! Loved your wedding ones too! Almost forgot to say...love your avatar...the banner is cute! And a great gift idea!

JULES...still no little Dominick eh? Ahh, he'll make his grand appearance soon enough. Maybe he has decided he wanted to be a New Years Baby instead of Christmas, lol.

SASSY...I know you felt bad but you know...it really is the thought that counts. And I bet your MIL was just happy to have you guys there for Christmas.

SUSAN...hope you enjoy your time at the coast...wishing I was there with you! Glad the date with Mcdreamy went well. Peanut butter cookies eh? I am sick of them by now, lol! V is eating the last of them thank goodness. WOnder if maybe I od'ed on all the sugar, lol. Probably some weird sugar virus I have :lol:

Glad everyone had a nice Christmas :hug: I am glad that we do our Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve otherwise there would not have been a dinner this year. Our Christmas Eve was nice...it was nice to have Josh and his girlfriend here trying to get them over for New Years Day with the promise of Josh's favorite chicken enchiladas. He's leaving the 2nd so I gotta see hime before he goes! I must I tell ya, I must!!! :lol: Trying to keep a sense of humor with this whatever the heck it is I have...just wish it would go away already.

Take care ladies and have a wonderful day! :wave: :hug:

I am sorry to say there is no baby news yet....I am as anxious as everyone here. Poor Teri is starting to swell a little. She actually worked 6 pm - 10 pm Wednesday night and started getting some contractions that faded away to be nothing. We have a doctors appt Friday morning so I am hoping she will have news that she can head on over to the hospital or be induced this weekend.

cristina~ thanks for the nice comments! I tried to post the pictures that my dad put on a disc for us but for some reason they wouldn't show up on myspace.

jules~ if she is starting to swell, hopefully the doctor will induce her. I started to swell with Brandon and they immediately set me up for an u/s to find out how big he was and then from there either called me with a date for a c-section or inducement.

Hi Ladies.....
 

Hello ladies...

Sassy...thanks, feeling better today, much better. But still a little dizzy, sick to my stomach sort of feeling. DD laughed and said "Wouldn't it be funny if you were pregnant?" Ummm, no! Just thinking it is a flu bug or virus of some sort. I know you still felt bad, but you shouldn't missy :hug:

Mindee...yw, the pictures were nice, all of them. I forgot that you had such a big family. Is your family still involved with MACS?

Hi everyone else :wave:

Nothing much going on today. Had some more of that icky white stuff. So tired of it already. I want some sun! Anyway...it's a cold one today and I am cooking a pot of chili, just sounded good. I've been eating my fare share of soup...kind of forgot how good it tasted. Anywho...have a good one ladies!

Before individuals--baby news from the visit today. If little Nick doesn't arrive by Friday the 4th, she will be induced. They did something called stripping the membranes today. She's 3-4 cm dialated but not effaced yet. She's hoping for this weekend. She's not feeling well so they didn't go get Lily today. We did find out she's been having contractions but she said they didn't hurt so she didn't think they were. The midwife told her all that tightening she felt were indeed contractions.


Mindee--I thought that they would sent her for an ultrasound in their office but they didn't.

Sassy-everyone keeps saying maybe she will have the first baby born in 08 but she wants him by the end of 07!!

Cristina-It's rainy here. It's too warm for snow. TY for the pic comments!!

Jules - I can't imagine Teri going til the 4th with the stripping of the membranes being done. I had that done with one of the girls (don't remember which one......lol) I don't think I lasted but a day after that.

hmmm, maybe I am remembering that all wrong?? I know I was stretched....ewww. ok whatever.......lol

You feeling better Cristina? I don't mind the snow falling but I don't like it staying on the ground for long. It needs to melt -lol
Good you are resting Sassy! Sorry about the job thing with your hubby, but I agree with the others, something better will come along!
Mindee - How big is your family? You have pictures up on myspace?? I will go check it out. Happy to hear you all had a nice Christmas!
Sue - Where are you??
Katy - Sweetie, put your knitting down and come chat with us! lol Dying to know if that was your husband the other day walking by JCC???

I took my tree down today. Thank goodness, I am ready to get back to normal. Whatever that means......certainly doesn't mean a tree in my living room. haha.

Weighed and I have an awesome weight gain. Oops, wrong way. So, "lets get serious time"! I get paid Monday and will go buy me some New Balance walking shoes and start using them. I really want to be 150 by my birthday in March.

The beach was nice but we were all sick. I had a terrible head cold, so we came back early. Have been taking Benadryl and that is helping, knocks me out though. I just want to sleep. Course Gab has other ideas. haha

Anyway exciting plans for the New Years??? I guess McDreamy is cooking a dinner. I think I would rather go out for dinner and a movie. Seems kind of weird we are alone in his apt. lol ......course he said his 19 year old son would be there with his gf.

k- whatever.......chow for now!

Just a quick HI...promise to spend more time on individuals tomorrow. V is doing things around the house and I just have a little more Christmas stuff to get put up so plenty of computer time to be had.

Hugs to you ladies!

hello ladies...how are you all doing?

nothing new on this end.....just hanging out at the house. we are gearing up for New Year's Eve here at our place. the kids are gearing up for it as well.....Brandon has been enjoying time with my sister here, so has Logan and Marissa. Brandon has been following her around all over the place. He actually wore underwear on Friday and kept them dry. He spent maybe a couple of hours in a diaper and that was it.

Sassy~ Right now, we are in New Baltimore. Which is about an hour or 45 minutes from Detroit. My sister lives in Brighton, which isn't that far from Ann Arbor.

Cristina~ Yup, we have the huge family! The pictures on there that say "us and my side" are not of my full side. My parents had gotten a sitter for some of the other kids. I am pretty sure that they are all still a part of MACS. We are having chili for dinner on Saturday night.

Jules~ If she is 3-4cm now, and they striped her membranes.....she might go quickly. Has she been doing a lot of walking? I used to walk all over the place when I was trying to go into labor with Brandon.

SuzyQ~ I am the baby of my parents five biological daughters. (yes they had five girls) Then went on to adopt 13 kids after me. They adopted the kids that were deemed "societies throwaways" basically the kids that nobody would want. How are things with you and McDreamy?

Ever just feel like the world doesn't like you much??? lol.
 

SuzyQ--she is ready..she's starting to get really cranky--she can harly eat cause she's back to feeling sick with most things. I feel so bad for her. They let me go almost TWO weeks past my due date with her and it looks like she is having to do the same thing. I am finding out that "stripping the membranes" works about half the time and if it does work it's usually the night they do it but it can be within the next three days. Have fun on your New Years Eve get together with McDreamy. No plans for me and Mr Anti-social. If the baby isn't here yet Teri is coming over for lunch on New years Day.

Cristina--we didnt even put up a tree this year, but I am putting away all the other little stuff this weekend.

Mindee-she is walking and so tired of being pregnant. She's starting to get a little depressed about the waiting.

Sassy--I get like that sometimes too, usually when hubby is being an arse which has been alot lately...he has been more of a scooge this Christmas than usual, he's never really good then and then he's really bad in the winter. He just wants me to be here at the house and talk to nobody including him. He even gets jealous at the time I spend with our kids. It's hard sometimes.

Katy--hope you are ok!!

Howdy!

We are slammed. DH's mother has been ill with bronchitis for a few weeks. On Christmas Day we did manage to get her over to our house, but once she arrived it was clear almost immediately that her drugs weren't working. We convinced her to let DH take her to the ER where they nebulized her, then found some pneumonia on her right lung. They kept her overnight which was a relief for us all as she was finally able to get some sleep. She has been staying with some friends and recuperating. We spent the 26th in Eugene with my brother, and in general we have been just trying to catch up around the house, see some friends, and try to enjoy the break as much as we can. It's nice to have everyone home, hanging around the house. I'll be ready for them all to go back on the 7th, though.



Susan- How did you know I've been knitting :p It probably was DH, he was out for a walk that day and I think he said he walked up to the library. When you first wrote that I was, like, how does she know what he looks like?..of course..I do send pictures around don't I? Silly me. Sorry you had to cut the beach short; I hope you get a chance to rest and recuperate before the big NY dinner with McDreamy. He sounds like a nice guy.

Jules - Countdown to Grandma...won't be long now! I hope she is able to get some rest to gear up for labor. Sending some prayers her way for a good delivery. Can't wait for pictures.....

Sassy- Sorry you are feeling a bit down.. 'round here we call them the Christmas Day Dumps...seems like there is always a little letdown after all the build up. I know you and you DH have great things in store. You have each other and a great outlook on life. Our new mantra should be "Life is great in '08!" If we say it often enough, it will be true.

Mindee - sounds like you are going to have a houseful! I enjoyed your Christmas pictures - what a lovely family! I know you've probably told me this already, but what does MACS stand for?

Cristina - How did all that packing go? I'm giving it until New Year's, then we are packing it all up. I like the decorating, but I also like to put it all a way and reclaim the living room. Your chili sounds delicious..I am in the mood for soup or stew as well. I bought some roasted red pepper and tomato soup yesterday and had some for lunch - yum. I'm going to use up some of the leftover ham and add it to a bean soup mix I have...that should be pretty yummy as well. It's the right kind of weather for a nice hearty soup.

Sorry I haven't checked in. Other than worries about the MIL, we did have a lovely Christmas. My kids have enough Legos and Playmobil to keep them busy for awhile. I received lots of tea and yarn and knitting things, so I am very happy about that. I have to get the camera out and blog the loot. I am up two lbs, from all the festivities, but it was 4 :yikes:, so I am on the way back down. I also am expecting TOM pretty soon, so I usually swell up a bit with that.

Have a good day everyone!

Good morning, ladies!

I am very happy to say I am down 2 pounds today! Woohoo! :carrot: Sorry ladies. I must say that part of it is probably because of throwing up so much on Christmas but I did good to not put anything on since so I am happy. I am a little more than a pound away from my first twenty pound goal, yay! Of course I changed it over to 10 pound goals now, figure they would be easier to achieve and not seem so overwhelming to reach. Going to WI on the New Years just because it is the beginning of a New Year and then again on my Sat WI. Starting a New year and I want to see the changes from the very first day. Anyway...

JULES...hopefully by now Teri is in the hospital ready to deliver. I feel for her. I think deep down V gets a little jealous of my online time but he never says anything. I share things with him too so...hey, how do you like the turkey bacon? I have been thinking about trying it because I love bacon. I actually haven't had any in a long time because I always eat too much of the stuff.

SASSY...I don't think I can count on both hands how many times I have felt that way so as Jules said "You are not alone." We are here for you anytime you want to talk. Just hang in there sweetie. :hug: :hug:

MINDEE...I tried coke zero and thought that was the worst tasting stuff ever, lol. I gave it to V...he's like Mikey...he'll eat or drink anything, or just about anything. Why not diet coke? I am addicted to diet coke but have really cut back a lot. Drinking a lot more water but there are times I just need my diet coke. I always get the monthly kids for MACS but I seem to forget to go back and look for the past kids. I need to make a point of doing that. And kuddos to your parents...thank God for wonderful, loving people like them.

KATY...sorry to hear about your MIL, hope she gets to feeling better soon. Glad you guys had a wonderful Christmas. And yes, it is good to reclaim the house after the holidays. Although...it sort of feels empty, lol. Your soup sounds good.

SUSAN...we have no special plans. Just staying home. I will probably end up in bed early...lately I can't stay up passed 11 for some reason. New Years Day though I am cooking some chicken enchiladas, spanish rice, beans, chips and salsa, taquitos and a few other dips and Josh and his GF are coming over. He leaves the 2nd so who knows when we will see him next. Hope you and Mcdreamy have a wonderful dinner!

Well, no special plans for the day. Still being lazy until I feel 100% back to normal. V is going to be painting the front door. We got a new, solid door for the front...didn't like the one with the window. So he's painting that before he puts it on, along with a new storm door. I think the house feels naked without the storm door, lol. Anyway, my plan is to stay out of his way and finish putting Christmas stuff away, get a couple loads of laundry done and read. Still working on that one book.

I haven't gotten any exercise in for a week and that is probably another reason I am feeling bad. But I am just going to take it easy until the first when I plan to get back on track and ready for a new year, a new challenge!

Have a GREAT weekend!

Hello, Sounds like everyone had a lovely Christmas. Sorry Katy to hear of your ill MIL and Cristina for your illness. Glad everyone got the "loot" they wanted. I got a 22 inch flat monitor from DH and a very nice stainless steel veggie steamer/soup pot. (I had asked for a steamer, but nothing so elaborate) Also got books, candles, a beautiful birdhouse, reed diffuser, bath and body goody, candies and nuts..a gift card. Quite a haul as I see it in print. Some years DH and I do a gift together for the house, but not this year. SO I felt spoiled.

I have been eating right at breakfast and lunch, then it seems all h**l breaks loose and I just can't stop eating. Soooo, my goal for today is to cut the sweets and just eat a few nuts when I must snack. I still have some nuts in the shells and DH bought me a can of almonds. I HAVE to be done with the fudge and cookies.
If I can accomplish this goal then by the 1st maybe I will be ready to eat right all day.

I gained back up to the dreaded 170. It is my onus in life to weigh 170 I swear. No matter if I go up or down I am usually quickly back to 170. What's with that?

Susan..hope you get feeling better quickly. Sassy..as I said elsewhere, chin up lady. Good things are coming your way! Mindee..I knew you were from a large family, but WOW. Your parents have such big hearts and I commend them and others like them. Jules...Patiently waiting here. Your DH does sound quite a bit like mine. Some days he is so grumpy and nothing anyone does is right or good enough.

Okay ladies...I am off to finish some puter stuff.

:bravo: Cristina! Wow on the 2 pounds, doesn't matter how you did it, you did it!! lol Icky way though. :dizzy:


Sue -Yay, nice to hear from you!! Missed you! I am back up to 172. Seems my scales like that number. I think I will go on a water flush and cleanse my system out. lol It is true - evening eating is the worst. I think we just get tired and say what the ****.....*munch*munch....

Sassy - :hug: been there too! Hang in there :)

Jules - Have Teri eat a box of tuna helper, that worked for me when I had Rach. haha.....poor thing, I hope she has the baby soon.

Mindee - That is wonderful about the adoptions! Yay to Brandon!!

Katy - Oh, I knew what he looked like by the pic. Also if it was him he was wearing like,,,,tights.....and I thought he was rather handsome in them. lol.....I think his jacket was a light green?? Not sure. I think I almost hit him......lol....jk. Hugs to you and hope all is well with the kids!!!

k- on the fly. McDreamy is fine. He does seem rather sweet with all his cooking and taxi driving for his daughter. He has 2 kids- 19 & 21- and they still live with him. We'll see, my life seems to much in the air to even try to have a relationship. He is nice to chat with though. I certainly don't need him cooking me food and cookies. I gained 30 with Michael, I don't need that again!!

better get! I am going to try slim fast again. It worked before and I will promise to go get some decent walking shoes on Monday and start walking.

chat later!

Thank You all........I am truly just fine............Was really only making a statement, honestly. :)

Jules -- hope the grandbaby comes soon!
Cristina -- :woohoo: on almost reaching your goal!
Katy -- Sorry to hear about MIL, hope she recoops soon!
Sue -- :hug: I would kill to be 170 but I know, I've been there before too, I hope that the new year brings "New Bodies" to us all! :D
Suzy Q -- Ooooo la la..........glad things are well with McDreamy........Have they changed Slim Fast? Because a few years back I tried it and it made me sick so I couldn't drink it..........I wish you lots of luck!!! :cheer:

Hi to All out there!! :wave:

Big :hug: to everybody.

And I am back again :D Just love you ladies too much to stay away too long!

SUSAN...thank you missy! :hug: And I hear ya about just saying what the heck and just munching. Feeling so much better today that it has been one of those munching days-gotta nip that in the bud right now! Well, who knows...you never know what wil become of anything so just enjoy your time with mcdreamy missy. Whatever happens, will happen. But he sounds like a sweetie for sure.

SASSY...:thanks: You just keep on keeping on missy. We love ya and are here for you. :hug:

SUE...glad you had a nice Christmas. I'm really glad that we basically had ours on Christmas Eve. It was nice so it didn't really matter if I was sick on Christmas day...Sounds like you were spoiled!

JULES...any news on the homefront/baby? I think we all are getting anxious!

MINDEE..whats up with you missy? Hope all is well with you and the family.

KATY...hoping the house is getting back to normal today.

I managed to get quite a bit done...laundry, and all the Christmas stuff put away thank goodness. I must say though the house looks a little empty. All the Christmas stuff sure makes it more homey.

Nighty, night ladies!

hello ladies....how are you all doing?

nothing new yet again....we are broke, so we don't have any reason to go anywhere. my sister offered to babysit the kids for us on Sunday night so that we can use our gift card that we got from our friends. she said that she would babysit the kids for us since we seemed to be tense. she said that she would let us discuss it and get back to us....we thought about using it, but we are not sure. it would be nice to go out just the two of us, but we shall see.

Sassy~ I hope things start to get easier for you! we have those days a lot lately....so you are not alone!

Jules~ I hope she has him soon. I was that way with Logan, and he was eight days late!

Katy~ I hope things start to slow down for you guys. MACS stands for Make A Child Smile. I too, am on my way back down after the holidays. So, I am glad about that.

Cristina~ WTG on the weight loss! I am on my way back down after the holidays, so that is a good thing for me. My sister's ex-BIL used to drink or eat whatever we didn't want. I actually got the diet cherry coke zero, and I love it! to me it tastes like a flat cherry coke, so it is easier for me to drink it. I had I think, three of my diet cherry coke zeros on Saturday, and then I switched to water. So, I am doing good in that aspect. Brandon kept trying to give me a new diet coke every time I went into the kitchen.

Sue~ Sounds like you got spoiled at Christmas! me and Tommy didn't get each other anything. We figured that since we usually get what is needed at the time through out the year, then we don't need to over indulge during the holidays. So, when we get our taxes done, I am sure that we are going to get something. (mainly a new van)

SuzyQ~ How are you doing? I have done the slim fast before, and I loved it! I also did the Metabolife thing before we got married, and it worked as well. I have been tossing the idea around about going on that again since I had used it, and we upped our exercising as well. So, I might look into that again.

Cristina~ Nothing majorly new with us....just spending time with the kids and my sister. Me, Tommy, and my sister played a card game Saturday night. Other then that, we are trying to get Brandon to want to start potty training again, and trying to keep them from "painting" again like they did Saturday morning.

Hello chickies!

SASSY...I liked that movie too! I like Kathy Bates too...loved her in Dolores Claiborne (sp?) Misery, Titanic, Fried Green Tomatoes and the Waterboy...too funny! And yes, laundry IS neverending! You know though, I think that is one chore I really don't mind doing. Hopefully, it is just old age, lol-you are not old though missy. Hopefully you are not getting sick. That is what I went thru Christmas day...hot, cold, hot, cold...I actually got so cold I had bad chills. It drives you crazy though.

MINDEE...didn't even know they had diet coke zero...learn something new every day. Good luck with the potty training again. Maybe this time he will be ready.

How is everyone else doing today?

I jumped back on the bandwagon today with the exercise. I love the mantra, my new mantra...Tomorrow begins today...I think it is a great one. Never put off tomorrow what you can start today and that is what I did. I did 45 mns of exercise...kept thinking why wait until the first. Plus, I actually have missed doing it...imagine that, me missing exercise. Other than that nothing much going on.

Me, V & DD are going to the show tomorrow...gotta go find the times. Going to go see Juno...looks funny. Going to throw a roast in the crockpot with some veggies so dinner will be cooking while we are out. I might buy something to ring in the new year...not sure but was thinking about it. Shoot, I can't even stay up late so we'll see.

Chat with you ladies tomorrow, ciao for now!

Checking In!

Hi to Sassy. Mindee, and Cristina! This is a quickie :o

I hate being broke too! I have like $10 to my name until I get my check in the morning.
I was on slim fast back in 99 for 17 months. I lost the 110 pounds on slim fast. I only like the can strawberry though. I can do SF or my protein shake, strawberry sounded good to me.
I guess New Balance shoes are on sale this week! So, still planning on going tomorrow and buying some walking shoes.
Oh, down a pound! Yipeeee......

I did see McDreamy last night! He is still dreamy, lol. I went at 6pm and he made a fast pasta dinner for us. I brought Legends of the Fall and we watched that. I don't know where the time flew but I left at 2am. Wow......that was a long kiss. haha - anyway, we are going to see Sweeney Todd New Years Eve,,,,

k- waiting for Gab and I need to start on my water.

Jules!!! Any baby news???

Well girls...Teri is being sent to the hospital to get checked. I guess they are concerned since she is still having a good bit of discharge since the sweeping of the membranes on Friday. She may have just lost her plug and since the contractions are really hurting yet they may send her home. She's going to call me once she knows what is going on.

She's having contractions, but nothing to worry about. She is only 3 cm apart and they sent her home.

hello ladies....how are you all doing?

nothing new on this end.....just hanging out around the house. we did end up taking my sister up on her offer and went out to dinner. we got done with dinner, and were going to go walk around the mall until we realized that the mall had closed an hour before we got there! so, we just came home since it had started to snow.

Sassy~ I have been wanting to see that movie! I will have to try and catch it at the movie store.

Cristina~ Yup, they have it. I was going to get it until I realized that they had the diet cherry coke zero. I figured that I would try something with extra flavor, in case I didn't like the plain diet coke zero. Let us know how Juno is. I have seen a couple of previews for it and it has looked interesting.

SuzyQ~ That is really nice about your evening with McDreamy! I love that movie!!! I love the Chocolate SF. I tried the other ones but didn't really care for them. I will try the strawberry one again.

Jules~ I am betting that little Dominick is going to be the first baby born on New Years Day!! Sounds really promising with all the contractions that she is having!

Happy last day of 2007...got those resolutions all lined up? :p

Jules - been thinking about Teri - and hoping that all is going well. Nick could be a January one - now that's exciting!

Susan- have fun with McDreamy today ;)

Cristina - I was looking at your new progress siggy and, dang, I'm impressed - you are really on a roll! I hope you are continuing to feel better.

I have a smoothie recipe that is better for you than slimfast, if anyone is interested. The initial $ layout is spendy because you have to buy brown rice protein powder (which you might be able to order from Amazon grocery), but it makes alot of shakes and the result has more shake, less calories. I think I figured it out at a 16oz shake had about 200 calories, 300 if you added banana to it. No artificial anything in it. Rather than bore with all the details, you can pm me for the recipe is anyone wants to.

Hi to Sue, Sassy and Mindee - Happy New year to you all!

I've been mulling resolutions, but mostly I just come around to doing what I'm doing right now...just make each day a good one, you know? I do think I am going to buy the book Mindless Eating, and work through it this year. I really liked the approach and the suggestions, but had to take it back to the library.
I also think I am going to resolve to not buy more yarn for awhile - I have plenty as it is, and I'd like to try to save some money this year.

So that's all for now...get me all lickered up tonight and who knows what else I'll come up with? Ha ha...our grand plans are to just watch alot of movies and drink some champagne and eat some truffles from the local sweet shop.

Have a good one, ladies!

Katy--I am begin to agree with Teri, that Nick will be born on January 4 when he is FORCED out when she is induced. I guess she will have to wait for her little tax deduction until the 2008 filing. Send me that recipie. I am not a breakfast eater and have been thinking about trying breakfast smoothies.

Mindee--Little Nicky is apparently happy where he is. I went two weeks over with Teri--she didn't want to come out either!!

Sassy--he's definitely on his own timetable.

Suzy--hope you have a hot date planned for the New Year!!

Cristina--I like your new mantra--and it is so true. The things we do today really do effect everything about tomorrow....

Sue--are you out on the bike again!!

Happy New Years Ladies!!

Hello ladies....how are you all doing?

nothing new on this end....just waiting for Tommy and Brandon to get back from picking up some friends. Logan is watching Shrek 2 while holding onto a box of Banana Nut Crunch cereal, and Marissa is tossing her toys off the high chair tray.

Let's see.......my resolutions this year are to drink more water, work out more, and stop eating when I really don't need to be eating.

Katy~ What is the book "Mindless Eating" about? Can you send me the recipe too? I too, am also not a big breakfast eater, which I know is bad, so I have been trying to find other options.

Jules~ I think he will come before he gets forced out! But we shall see! Has she had any more contractions since the last ones?

Hello ladies...

SUSAN...how was the movie with mcdreamy? Or was that tomorrow? Glad you guys had a nice time with dinner and a movie...I like that movie too!

KATY...I'll take that recipe also. I am going to start Turbo Jam and follow their 10 day plan, with a little tweaking of course. Just seems like a lot of food to me. She calls for a smoothie most days as a snack so...supposedly you can lose up to 10 pounds in 10 days. I'll follow their plan with the food and the exercise dvd's plus some walking as well. And THANK YOU! Hope you guys enjoy ringing in the new year.

JULES...I'm telling ya...Nicky has decided he wants to be a New Years baby, heck with that 2007 stuff...he's holding out for 2008! Hope she has him soon though.

SASSY...yeah, I think Misery was my fav of those as well and yes, she did play that part too well. Be careful missy, try not to get anymore bugs! I know that is easier said than done. Too many germs out there. Cracks me up the number of people who don't wash their hands. I say that because at the show there was quite a few ladies that just walked out. Hopefully they weren' headed to get popcorn!

MINDEE...we liked Juno, even DH did. Orginally we were going to go see Walk Hard but then saw that Juno was out and had to go see it. It was cute and I loved Juno/Ellen. Hope you guys enjoy your evening with friends.

I slept in this morning until 9'ish and then got up, ate and exercised. Was going to exercise first but V served me breakfast in bed. Did a few more things around the house before heading to the movie...that place was packed! As was the grocery store...had to stop there for a couple of things on the way home after a late lunch/early dinner. Now just getting my computer time in before heading up to read some and watch some movies. Going to try and ring in the new year but not so sure I will make it. Anywho...

Take care ladies and have a happy New Years Eve!

Happy New Year!!
 

:celebrate:Happy New Year!!:woo:

Jules -- Any News Yet??????? Do you have a New Year's Grandson yet?? lol

Katy -- I would like the smoothy recipe if you don't mind. My only resolution this year is to be a Healthier and Happier Me. That way I don't set too strict of standards and get disappointed in myself if I don't make them. :)

Cristina -- These bugs are going around like wildfire at work!! I need one of those bubbles to climb into! hee hee. Its amazing how many people do not wash their hands..........and a simple thing like that could make many many people sick...........

I made a mistake and watched a movie lastnight that I felt was deragatory to fat people. Basically all it did was make fun of fat people and how ridiculous they are in certain situations. Pathetic what they do to make $$. I won't mention the name of the movie, but it has some rather well-known actors in it. I may have just taken it the wrong way, but I felt like it was totally wrong. There I'm off my :soap: now. lol!!!

Well I'm having a fun New Year........:woo: Party Party Party.........lol. Oh Well at least I am getting paid very well for working........;)

I wish you all a very Safe, Healthy and Happy New Year!!

:grouphug:

you all sound so great. :) keep at er

:newyear:Happy New Year!:newyear:

Big kissies from Mrs. C :mrsclaus: She's saying "See you next year!"

HTE- Welcome! I just want to say that I absolutely LOVE your avatar!

I'll go ahead and post the smoothie recipe here since it looks like everyone is interested. My naturopath gave this to me as a way to get my flax dose in; also it can be a dairy-free meal replacement should I choose to use it as such. The fat/protein/carb ratio are Zone-friendly. If you do not need to avoid dairy, as I do, then use skim milk if you want.

Vegan Fruit Smoothie

2 TB Rice protein powder ( 110 cals) I use Nutribiotic Vegan Vanilla
1 TB ground flax seed ( 30 cals) I have found this in bulk at Winco, otherwise you can get it through Bob's Red Mill.
1 cup unsweetened soy or almond milk (90 cals)
1/2 c.- 3/4 c. frozen blueberries (40 - 60 cals)

mix in a blender. If I use .75 c blueberries, I get about 2 cups of smoothie at 290 cals. If it's not sweet enough, you can add an inch or two of frozen banana, which would add about 50 or so more cals. This is sugar-free and no additives - bon appetit!

The protein powder and flax seed meal can be ordered online via Amazon grocery, albeit in large quantities. I don't see why you can't substitute a protein powder of your choice; I've seen soy protein in bulk at Winco that's very economical. You an also put skim milk in this if you don't care about the vegan part.

I think I am going to use this as a meal replacement for a little while to help me get my carb cravings under control. This shake is very good for that purpose. Otherwise, I tend to have a cup as an afternoon snack since that's when I crave carbs the most.

Mindee - Mindless Eating - there's a link for you..This was one of my favorite health and wellness reads last year.

Hey - if anyone else wants to read the book and work through the book's suggestions together - I'm in...just let me know. It has exercises like eating all your meals on a small plate, don't eat at the computer, yada yada - you get the idea.

I'll bbl later for more individuals..hope NYE was good to everyone. We stayed home and watched movies. We watched Romancing the Stone and Batman, which DH and I saw many times many years ago..so it was a fun little trip down memory lane. We drank sparkling wine and ate lots of chocolate - yum! Now it time to go back on the wagon

Cheers!

Katy--I have been wanting a good smoothie recipie so thanks!! There are two small health food shops in the area plus the one grocery chain has added a healthy/organic section in their stores. There is also a huge common market coop about 45 minutes from home. I havn't been there since they expanded but have been thinking about it.

HTR--feel free to join us!!!

Sassy--alot of people are sick at my workplace. I have antibacterial lotion from Bath & Body at my desk. I've noticed bottles popping up all over at copiers, fax machines and other places too.

Cristina--like I mentioned...I think he's comfortable and is needing to be forced out...I told Teri this was payback for me having to go almost two weeks over with her...

Mindee--she was having them last night...her little belly would get so tight but she says that's the only way she knows shes having them since they aren't really hurting her at all. SHe's having some again today. Dave goes back to work from 3:30 pm to 2AM on Wednesday and Thursday after being off since the Thursday before Christmas. He says watch her go into labor Wednesday night...

SuzyQ--hope you had a good night!!

Sue--Hi to you too...

We worked yesterday, but got invited to go to our friends house since they were staying home with the baby. Right before we left work, got a call from Teri (no she wasn't in labor) Dave was going to go to his Dad's work and was going to drop her off at his mom's until his dad got off work. She was really weepy and emotional after waking up from her nap and had Dave turn around and she ended up coming with us. We had enchilada and a big salad and lots of veggies. We all had fun with the baby and left around 11:00 to take Teri home since Dave was on his way back. Then Jerry and I stopped where Ry & Alicia were and finally made it home around 1:30ish. I am soooo tired today....that was way past my bedtime!! Teri is having some contractions today that she is beginning to actually feel and know what they are. She was going to take another nap and I haven't heard anything more so I guess he's not ready yet. Her friend Geneva is going to spend the night with her on Thursday night (Dave works to 2 AM) and then 8 AM Friday she goes to be induced. I guess we will see if she actually makes it until then.

Happy 2008!

Jules - no baby yet? Hugs to Teri , hope she is hanging in there.

HTE - welcome, come chat!

I will try the smoothie Katy, sounds yummy.

Just really doing a quickie again. Tomorrow is school and I have to get the girls ready to get back in the grind.

Ate late last night, feel icky about that. I had a icee today and a strawberry shake.....ugh, drank too much wine so was trying to calm my stomache.

I did see McDreamy last night. He is sweet and quite......he was talking about Gab and asked how her father would feel if he came to her weekend sports stuff. I guess I had mentioned wanting her to do baseball......anyway...... It is like he is talking about a future with me.....kind of confuses me. I think that is a while down the road before he would even meet her. Don't you think??

ugh, I better go. I have to get job searches done this week......ick.

Hey Susan- PPS doesn't go back until the 7th...tho' tomorrow would be a-ok with me, kwim? The kids have been snippy with each other all day due to a lack of sleep no doubt. I'm going to take them to Salem tomorrow. We'll visit my grandma, then off to the carousel and the children's museum. That should help. I'm with you, I think SO's shouldn't meet the kids until you are serious...kids get so attached and don't understand if things don't work out - they take it very personally. Of course, there never are guarantees, my mom was in a few serious relationships that didn't work out, but I was a teen then and while I didn't take it as a personal rejection. I'm sure you will do the right thing as you have good judgment. Except for drinking icees - :) jk


Jules - sounds like you had a nice NYE. I get a little misty every time I hear Auld Lang Syne, sigh. The older I get, the worse it is. Maybe Teri will be in for a pretty easy labor as she is taking those contractions in stride. Wouldn't that be nice? I hope she doesn't have to go on Pitocin- I hated that stuff. But you know, no matter how it happens, the result is Dominick - so it will all be fine.


OK - my mindless eating goals for January will be to 1) eat my meals on a small plate, 2) eat at the table, and 3) no reading at meal time. I'm going to get a piece of graph paper set up so I can check them off when I do them. I ordered the book yesterday, so I can re-read it and figure out a game plan for February....2008 is off and running chickies!