Hey y'all! I am alive. I think. Lol. I am just stuck with a little cough now. Hopefully the bad stuff is gone.

I am not doing well in the diet department at all. My strategy is to survive the remainder of this steroid shot munchy phase and pick up after Christmas. It seems like the only thing to do when you work 3rd shift is EAT JUNK FOOD.... which is NOT COOL! Oh well, such is life, right?

Aaron, I am sorry you are dealing with the cookies...... but hey, my thing is just to survive during the rest of the holidays and hit it hard the DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS..... I am not waiting until New Year.... I can't!

Colleen, sorry you have been sick. I am glad you and your sense of humor is back.

CC, Girl, if I controlled as well as you did at Olive Garden I would consider it a HUGE accomplishment.

Holly, I am praying for those little land mines to go away quickly and the old DH to re discover the fever for riding.

Tymaboy, that was a good compliment with the letter for the bake sale.

Whiney alert
I appreciate you all being worried about me burning the candle...... truthfully, I am re thinking some things. I am sooooo tired all the time. I survive most days on 3-4 hours sleep. It is a little rough. But, I am stuck at this moment trying to figure out what direction to go in.

I am gonna get off here for now. Will gab more later. Thanks for the get well wishes.

Hi Girls and Aaron

MsDiana hope you decide to stick around- there are a great bunch of gals and our new found guy on this thread and we talk about pretty much everything and of course right now how hard it is to stay on track with the holidays or maybe And let me say what a nice bike you have love the red

OH yes Tammy now sure how you are doing it with only 3-4 hours of sleep but you will decide what you need to do and when and what direction to take you should make sure that you follow what is going to make you the happiest in life because you only have 1 life so live it

Glad to see you are back Colleen we have sure missed your humor- have fun at the Christmas Party and wow that is great that you still have Grandma around with you -

Tymaboy are you getting anxious to start your new job? What have your daycare parents said? Hope they are taking it OK

Well I do have a busy weekend so not sure if I will get time to log on again or not so have a great weekend

Hi Aaron

Hope everyone had a good weekend.

I finally got all my shopping done. Went to see a friend yesterday & wow was it crazy. Line of cars in the streets & in the parking lots. I did buy some new clothes for me. 2 pants & 2 shirts. The 1 pair of pants is a size 8 & the other is a size 6. I think the 6 is sized wrong cuz they feel just as loose as the size 8. I found all kinds of clothes I liked but I hate the prices that go with the new clothes.

Hi Girls. I am back on my diet today. I was sick the last 3 days. I need to be real good for the rest of the week. It sounds like we will get 8" of snow today.

There calling for 2-4 inches here with freezing rain. I hope it gets it out of it's system now for all of us who will be traveling for the holidays.

Hi everybody

Tammy - OH my gosh. 3-4 hours sleep?? You are a blonde Superwoman I'm so sorry the steroids are giving you the munchy attacks. You get well, and then deal with the diet department. I am also fervently hoping that with time, DH will look forward to trying to ride again.

Hey Colleen as usual your post was full of humor. Rockin at the senior center, you are a peach to visit with your Grandma!

tymaboy, I have noticed your ticker and wow I haven't seen the 130's range since maybe 3rd grade I am sure that size 6 is correct and you flaunt it, girl!

and I guess 'what goes around, comes around'...- did I tell you that last week I was debating to put a $20 bill in a card with the cookies I was giving our trash pickup guy? and I decided to give it to him, because I would sure appreciate it if I got an unexpected Christmas tip from a well-wisher. well last night we met with 2 of our biker friends for dinner...they are members of our biking website as well as actually living close to us (our other members are either in New England, East Coast or Ohio area - and ND and SD )

well they give us an envelope...it was a collection they took up with our biker friends ...wow...in the past DH and I have contributed when we learned of folks in a hard time...this time WE were the recipients. Along with what I have already paid, it is almost enough to cover the local hospital bill (the people who are such #%&*@ to us) so that is a BIG BIG pinch relieved!!!

I know that they knew our situation was not terrible, not like 'the wolf is at the door' but they did know we are doing the best we could and it was the local hospital giving us a hard time that was the biggest pain, and I guess also because Christmas is right here and DH and I realized way back that we should prudently not spend anything we don't need to.

I have been thinking for weeks that 'something good MUST happen soon' and here it is.

Everyone has ups and downs in life, we have been really lucky so far to not have much of downs; and when we are back up on our feet we are sure going to 'pay it forward'.

I have not been doing good in the diet department either, but will keep plugging away.

Oh and the Rat B@st@rd Boss said something so stupidly insensitive yesterday. Something like 'oh, this is your time of year, Holly!' and I said blandly, "why?" and he said 'because it's your NAME' and I said 'well, I've had better Christmases' and he says, "Oh, maybe Joe will buy you a new motorcycle for Christmas".

You can imagine all the horrible swear words I am thinking of him now

have a great day everyone

I won the big door prize at DH's party! 19.2 Craftsman get-up with drill, vacuum, light, sawzall...THEN, I pulled DH's ticket for the next winner!! He picked a heated coffee mug!! He doesn't drink ANY hot drinks--for sure not coffee! I thought it was funny!

At Grandma's party I got Santa to give Granny a big kiss! "That was a surprise" she said! Got her giggling and tappin' her toes to some Christmas music. Cookies are the only thing keeping her awake. She would nod off, and I'd ask if she wanted another cookie--She'd say "ya, ya, ya, I could use one!", and wake up long enough to eat a cookie and start again. I for sure inhereted those genes!

3-4 hours of sleep?!! That sounds like a nap, not a good nights rest! I've been trying for 45 years to get enough beauty sleep! Still working on it! No less than 8 hours, or I'm cranky! For real!

Holly--Paying it forward is always a good idea! Good for you--glad you got a little back in return for your kindness'.

It's snowing here--pretty, but not welcome around here! Plenty of snow already! Roads are still a mess from the last time. Driveway is slippery!

Tonight, I HAVE to get some presents wrapped! I have put this off way too long! AND the tree looks silly with nothing under it! Do any of you play any Christmas games with your family? Friend of mine shops all year for goodies, and plays the Price is Right. I was wanting to do that too, but it would cost me a fortune to start NOW! I need to be able to get stuff on sale! Any other fun traditions that you do?

Tymaboy...size 6!! Wow! I was a size 6 once--in second grade, for about 2 weeks, and I had to roll the pants up 8 rolls...congrats! I don't think a size 6 would fit around my head!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas--unless you don't beleive in Santa--then Happy Holidays!

Holly, I am soooo happy your motorcycle group did that for you!!! I will continue to pray that your DH will realize what a big part of riding is in his life and the people in it and he will get the fever before spring. You are so worthy of the $. You give so much to the community. And just remember, just as you got a pay it forward.... your Rat B*&^##$ will get his one day.

Colleen, you are so funny! Lol.... I am with you. I don't think a size 6 ever fit on my body except for on my head.... or one thigh. Lol. Sounds like you are the epitimy of Christmas.... you are always soooo happy and you have such a great sense of humor.

CC, Thanks so much for that one life to live advise. I am trying to make heads and tales of what way I am going and I will make a decision then. I am glad you are getting some rest. And you are rocking this diet during the Christmas season!

Tymaboy, wow 6. That is awesome. How did your babysitting parents take you quitting? Are you going to get to take some time off before you start your job? And, how is your son doing? I hope he is better.

Leatherman, sorry you were sick, I am glad you rebounded before the holidays. I can't remember if you said your wife rides on her own or not. Btw, if you dont' mind.... will you eat one of those PB and chocolate cookies for me? lol.

Well guys (it is a unisex Southern name. lol), I am gonna go for now. I plan on being on here before Christmas, but if I miss anyone, I want to wish you the most heart felt Merry Christmas ever. Even though we have never met, you guys are some of the best friends I have. I love the present one. lol

Hi Girls. My wife loves to ride on back, and I love her on back. I have asked her a few times and she wants to ride,not drive. ladyrider I hope you will take credit for eating 10 or 12 of my cookies, then I won't feel so bad about the ones I had. Size 6 sounds small, my wife is a 16? We will diet harder after Christmas. Holly Iam so happy for you. Yesterday I went for a walk, not as far as I wanted to, but it was 10 or 12 out and the wind was blowing. Merry Christmas guys.

The size 6 sounds really good but I know they are sized wrong. Most of my pants are an 8 & the 6 fit like my 8s do. But I love #. It's great motivation. I have not done very well since before Thanksgiving, I'll do better after the new year. I hate the snow but it is a good workout when we have to shovel it all the time. I still want nice weather so I can get the bike out again.

Hi everyone

Holly that is great you are so worthy of all the $'s that came your way and glad to hear that it turned out so well ...... I know that everyone comes together when it is really needed and when it is so unexpected and deserving

leatherman glad to hear that you are feeling better before the Holidays and you sound like my DH he has been saying alot lately that he would much rather have me riding on his moto with him instead of my own- I just tell him that I will continue to ride my own as I have for the last 11 years but when I feel like it I will ride with him of which I do ride with him at least once a week of course during the riding season that it as we all know in SD we are getting sleet and snow so no riding aloud...dang it

Tammy you are such a hard and dedicated person and thanks so much and I really feel the same way about you guys(guess I use that quite abit as well) and I am liking the present animation as well

Colleen did you get your presents wrapped as planned? I got a few but really not much into wrapping them this year - I do still have about 8 more to do and I suppose I will try to get them finished in the morning while everyone is gone

Well my DS text me from work to make a dentist appt for him said his tooth was hurting - then he called and said he needed it right away, got him in and they had to pull a wisdom tooth the medication that they gave him has knocked him out and on the plus side we haven't had to listen to him whine at all tonight - I know not nice but geeez it is the truth

Tymaboy wrong or not I would love for a pair of my jeans to say 6 so you keep on rocking it girl

Well guys I guess I should get off here and think about bed time as I do have alot to do tomorrow

Good morning guys Tammy I also thank you,that is an honor and I feel the same way too about you guys here.

Reda, I'm glad the dentist was able to see your DS right away, and that he won't whine to his mom about it

Whoa, Aaron, you went for a walk when it was 10 out?? you are tough.

Tymaboy, is your climate such that you might get your bike out before the spring months?

Yesterday I didn't have time to work out, got a call from DH (he leaves at about 7 am) that he had car trouble and needed me to call AAA , no cell service there (he called from an outside phone, thank god there are still a few of them around) and to come pick him up. This is trouble with the Jetta that I bought from my Slovakian co-workers in October.

I was because come on now, we just spent over $400 for new snow tires for the car, and I only paid $600 for the whole car, and it was something to do with the engine. So I was in a black mood when driving there to pick him up. Also thought I had to drive him to work, and that was gonna make me late for my work...but it was OK for him to come back home, and tell his work that he would be a few hours late.

Well it is very helpful to have our sons living here, because with all the damn cars in our driveway at least there is usually a spare one to use. Got the word from the mechanic that it was an O ring and I guess that isn't too bad, and I think we can pick it up today.

and I was trying so hard to keep things in perspective; things go wrong with cars, it was relatively minor, you just have to go with the flow and take care of it, but I felt like saying ...enough .. is .. enough. Because I was imagining the worst, that the engine had blown or something. I got my Christmas bonus from my summer work place in the mail yesterday, and i think it's just enough to cover the car repair. So hey that's good isn't it

I am just spoiled because all our life together I guess we have been lucky with no major problems with health issues (like god forbid, leukemia or cancer to our kids) and money, well we had tight times way back earlier in beginning of marriage (when you have under $100 in checking account) so I guess it is hard for me to deal with things when they are not going smoothly or how I planned. Someone needs to kick me in the butt and say 'hey it is not that bad, ALOT have it worse'.

it is so nice to be able to vent here and I hope to goodness my overall mood is better SOMEDAY .

I got the Christmas stuff done--except baking, and that just isn't gonna happen. What NEEDS to happen now is for Santa's merry little elves to come clean up the mess I have in the house! I imagine they are busy this time of year, so I'll see what I can manage to get done tonight on my own.

Last night I got off work a little early to head for 1 last run to get more stuff for under the tree, and bows for the finally, wrapped presents. Took my Momma along, and ate chicken soup at her house on the way back. I liked the idea of not having to figure out what to eat at home! Lately it's been something sound and nutritious like a bowl of cereal! Cinnamon Toast Crunch is a favorite.

Aaron, why not get your wife on here? First off she would probably shoot you for mentioning what size she wears!! Hehe. Although, I would LOVE to be back in a size 16! That was 2 kids ago... My jeans do say size 6 actually! From Fashion Bug, the sizes are screwy. I wear a 6 long, Rodeo syle! Doesn't that sound great!? Sounds like cute little hip huggers with wide bottom legs, and tight thighs...NOPE! They resemble tents that you jump into and cinch at the top!

You are all great! I do hope the the holidays are good to you in every way!

Chat with you all again soon.

Colleen, every time you write I am you are too funny! You are a superwoman too to have all that done. I'm a poop that I haven't gotten a tree yet, just haven't felt like it, and I guess no one else in the house feels like it either, or they're just waiting for the elves to do it

Yes Aaron, would your wife like to be here too? we will help you delete the sin of mentioning sizes but truly it would be nice to meet her too.

I'm in a much better mood now than this morning, I am glad younger son was here to motivate me to just MOVE, because otherwise I would have hid in bed all day. BUt I forced myself to work out (a step routine) and then we went out and did errands. He is the one that made me feel kinda bad for not having a tree, but for goodness sake, he's 20 years old, he can go out and get one if he wants one that badly!

Just talked to my mom, poor thing, she has some kind of stomach bug and just can't have anyone over to her house on Christmas Day as we usually do. So we will just be relaxing here.

Oh and I just got off the phone to the Billing dept. of the not-so-nice hospital. i got a different lady and she was WORLDS different than the others, chirpy and nice and full of empathy. Apparently I have knocked off enough so far (over $600) so now they can 'work with me' a little more on what the payments will be. $250 instead of the $287 and no more threats of Collection. Not a huge diff but i feel alot better about it now.

this afternoon I made some more white chocolate drizzled pretzel rods. Do you know how addicting a salty, crunchy pretzel is when you drizzle it with chocolate

It's now been a month since I last wrote to the insurance company and said the price they offered is too low. Do they have a time limit, that they're supposed to settle these things? I can wait...

Ok Colleen you are way to funny - I started laughing and DH says "whats so funny" then I had to tell him about what you said - still rolling around I didn't realize that Fashion Bug sized their jeans that way but I was in Maurices trying to find DS's girlfriend something and noticed that their plus size clothes are sized 0-1-2-3 , not that she is any of those sizes and actually just the opposite she is like in a small shirt and size 3 jeans oh to be that small again -but same here that was 2 kids and many years ago

Holly glad to hear that the hospital is willing to work with you now and that you may see some light at the end of the tunnel -oh and boy do those pretzels sound good

Aaron yes invite your wife she is more than welcome but I agree with the others you will have to edit the size out

Ok well off to tan for 5 minutes - almost not worth getting out in below zero weather but I need to get something going before Cancun
I am off the rest of the week for the Holiday but back to work on Monday

So have a Great Thursday