Carol, I have the crunch salsa DVD that is unopened. Why, because almost DIL had it in VHS. So if you want it cheap, it's yours. By the way, almost DIL said she liked it and I haven't tried her tape yet. I will, just haven't yet. Because she liked it, I'd recommend it. I also have a Dance Away the Calories or something like that and I hated it. And I'd bought Paula Abdul's dance DVD (unopened) since almost DIL had that one too but she said it was not great. But I could let you have both unopened ones for a very cheap price. :)

Sorry about the bad party. Good luck with the cookies and such. Will you take a picture of your gingerbread house and post it here? I know DH would like to make one. Maybe we should do that.

DS, almost DIL and I went to Medford (across the mountain) yesterday and we spent loads. Really - we bought 4 new car stereos with ipod adapters (one for my Durango, one for my car, one for almost DIL's Christmas present and DS bought one for his car). Other DS asked if we were trying to keep the car stereo industry afloat on our own. But they should be great. DH will install the one for my car today (I HOPE!!!!). We also finished Christmas shopping and returned loads of stuff.

Got to go. Talk more tomorrow!!!
Marie

Marie yah got a sale there. You can send me a private message and we can exchange our addresses etc. not that we'd worry about our girls here but others having our info. Sounds great lets do it soon so I have them for Christmas. Hey this is great didn't think I'd shop right here. I purchased her a set of strech bands yesterday too. She isn't over weight needs to tighten up is all and wants to before her wedding.
I baked cookies yesterday a start to my list. I spoke with my son last night and he loved the snickerdoodles I sent last time. I may have to send those too. My kitchen looked like a bakery. I did manage to eat a few. But over all did okay I think. They are now wrapped and out of sight in the downstairs ref.
I will be starting my gingerbread house this week maybe Tues. tonight the GS has his first concert he plays the chello?on sp.? Oh well anyways so I got to get busy Tues. The girl friends and I get into doing these its a fun process this year we bought some wine to make it more interesting while we do it. Hah hah at least its red and suppose to be good for me in moderation. Other than my cookies and homemade pizza not a bad day. I did run to get the paper and buzzed in and out of the malls. Hope everyone one else is doing good. Marie I think I will also try to get her a rumba DVD. Got any laying around???????????? Funny never even thought someone here might have something I needed for Christmas. Hope to eat healthy and stay with in my cals today.

Hey, I'm back. I wanted to check in while I was away, but my brain just shut down whenever I had free time, all I could do was watch a little TV and collapse. But the meetings went well, the facility was good, and my new co-worker did a nice job on his first attempt to organize the meeting. I worked out in the exercise room, but I overate--big salads with lunch and dinner, but still big portions of meat or chicken (it was a buffet, with really good food) and even ice cream on Saturday :( .

Carol, congrats on continuing to lose :carrot: . Check out the Collage Video site for videos. They have some instuctional dance ones, so your daughter won't be doing aerobic motions while she's rumba-ing! I have the Crunch salsa video. I like it, but the merengue is hard on my knees, so I just do it now and again.

Marie and Penny, hope you're both having a good Monday! You're doing so well, making good choices and being mindful of your calories.

Well, I took a tumble on the street yesterday, fell heavily on my hands and knees. I'm home today, nursing a swollen knee and a catch in my back. I think I'll be up and around by tomorrow. But I'll need to eat very lightly to make up for that chicken saltimbucca, etc., on the road, and not working out yesterday or today.

It's always something!

judy

Judy, I'm so sorry about your fall. Exercise is dangerous (even if its just walking outside). My trips to the ER have been 2X from downhill skiing, 1X rollerblading and 1X biking. It's dangerous. I hope you feel better soon. BTW, it was almost DIL birthday yesterday and I was no angel - not bad, but I did have a little piece of cake. I like my light ice cream better so it won't be a temptation from this point on.

Carol, I will PM you as soon as I'm done here. I'm glad you can use them. I ordered them right before my trip and never got to returning them so this works out good. It's a good thing I wasn't helping you bake yesterday or I would have eaten your gifts. I was in a munchy mood and I'm hungry today. :(

I rode the exercycle 10 miles this am. I did the more resistance for several miles and worked up a little sweat. I brought an apple for mid morning snack. I think I'm going to have it soon.
Marie

Judy it must of been tumble day! Glad you didn't get hurt any worse than you did. Hey thats not a good thing was it icy? I ran actually ran out to get the paper our driveway is quite long and on the way back thought oh that felt good so did it again.I did fine til I hit the steps a bit to fast dropped my Sunday paper all over the place and fell on my right knee and the palms of my hands. Ouch! It was a little sore to say the least but nothing too bad. Sounds like you got the worst of the fall on your knees. OUCH! Hope your feeling much better. Wierd we both took a tumble together and didn't even know it. Glad your back home again. Maybe some rest is whats in order for you today. Soak your feet do your nails relax a bit. Buffets aren't easy I know that was saturdays lunch out with the girls. Not too bad but not what I would consider healthy. I am trying to make up for it now. I have been baking more cookies. I did sample a little cut out last night no frosting. Thats later on tonight. I did start to put together my Gingerbread House. Oh how I hate doing them why do I put myself through it? I hate the part of gluing the sides, roof tog. with frosting. The decorating I like just want to skip this part. I need to ship out my box of goodies to the kids. I am doing the what ever you want to ship what actually fits in the box for 8.00. It doesn't matter how heavy it is goes by the box size and ships anywhere in the U.S.. So I am craming in lots of stuff needless to say.
Marie thanks for the DVD info. and I look forward to hearing from you. Yah could of had some cookies I bake enough to feed an army! I sealed them away but will have to get into some to send out the kids package. I am trying to figure out the best day to send. Send to early they get into it all ahead of time send to late it misses them, send to close to the weekend and then cookies sit around extra time oh no easy solution. I am making fudge later on thats a quicky. Then put it away out of sight. I want to pack some of that also for the kids. Can't have them home so I have to send a little home to them. I am making them a Christmas stocking out of old hot rod cars in a Hawaii print with Santa in some of the cars really cool fabric. I will fill it with some dip mixes and fun stuff cajun cashews etc.... Oh I really miss them at this time of year can yah tell???????????? Oh well gotta deal with it all. I went to a concert for the grandkids last night. It was really nice the school system does a great job with teaching these children music appreciation. Gotta go trying to be good in the food dept. did a little no no yesterday but all over cals weren't too bad. I got my new client and oh how different it is when your somebody out there in the big world doors open in different ways so quickly that part does make dealing with it easier. Its the rest that will be tough. Oh give me strength!

Penny where are you? Most likely knee high in making some soaps. Oh I need to do that too. Oh so much to do so little time! I need to start staying up later or something? Penny I am going to make the lime, lavendar and poppy seed. Can't wait to try that one it sounded so cool. Take care!

Hi Everyone, today is going to be a long, icky day at work. I have to work all day then go teach a training this evening. I knew it was coming but I really hate working in the evenings. The scale again said the same thing. I'm pretty sure it's stuck on the same numbers... Did I mention I bought 2 new pairs of jeans this weekend in a smaller size. The other "new" ones were getting too big. So the scale didn't move but the tape measure did.

Carol, how you work FT and make all those things amazes me. There's not enough time in the day for that.

Hi Penny and Judy!!!
Marie

Hi everyone - sorry I've been MIA but have been under the weather with a bad cold. Not much new to report here. I'm trying to stay on track which isn't too hard as I don't have much of an appetite. I hope all your holiday preparations are going as planned.

Judy and Carol - I'm sorry to hear about your falls - I hope not too much damage was done.

Marie - Congrats on the tape measure shrinkage!

Have a good week everyone.

Fudge, coookies, cajun cashews....Carol, I swear, I gain weight just reading your posts:p . It's wonderful that you find the time and energy to do so much for your family at this time of year. I'm sorry to hear about your fall onto the steps, ouch! I'm much better, the swelling and aches are mostly gone, but I have nasty-looking scabs on my knee and hands. So much for my career as a plus-sized swimsuit model!

Marie, I bet you are a good trainer! I hope the day isn't too painful for you. WTG with the new jeans:carrot: .

Since I'm leaving town again on Thursday, I'm a bit low on fresh produce at home. So this week I'll be digging into my freezer a lot for Lean Cuisines or leftover soups and crockpot meals. But I think I'll go buy a nice salad for lunch today, I miss fresh veggies!

judy

Marie thanks again on the DVD's. It sure helps me out. I feel like I am running out of time. Maybe I should take sometime off? Last night I made the rest of my cutout cookies and frosted the rest this a.m. at 6. Thats how I get things done. I really am a pretty motivated person always have to be busy. Can't sit and watch t.v. its not my thing. Marie see sometimes the scale doesn't move but we lose inches and thats not a bad thing. Building muscle is healthy. My bone desity test last week proves it. I asked at first oh how often does one need this test. The answer was every two years. I left there and won't return for 5 as I was off the charts my rate was so good. So I guess I am doing something good for myself. I always think oh I will measure myself but never do. I can tell by my clothes how the inches are going up or down. But it would be nice to know how many huh? I had the hubby give me a little caluator or steps =cals= miles for christmas. Didn't order my other cal counter as of yet. Maybe after the holidays.I am ready to send out the first package to my son and DIL cookies! Still need to make fudge and a couple other cookies nutmeg logs are a must in this family. Those I have to still make. The grandkids want to bake so maybe sunday we will do that. There kitchen is in the remodeling stages no sink or running water etc. Soon it will be beautiful I am sure of it. I did manage to eat a couple of those cookies while I frosted them. We all had a great laugh last night. I don't have a frosting recipe really just throw it together my own way. Well last night I have a jar with what I think is 10x white powdered sugar. So I throw it in. Then I take a taste to ensure everything is yummy. Oh my God it was cornstarch it tasted like elmers glue. We all laughed so hard. It was our christmas flop of the year I bet! Next batch was really tasty and hubby couldn't stay out of it. Funny! Tonights making soaps and putting the roof on my gingerbread house.
Judy I think between the two of us you got the worst of that fall. Man its not a good time of year to be messing yourself up too much to do in such little time. I am starting to stress a bit and need to get things finished up.I told the girl friends we are making soaps tonight and not stopping til their all done wrapped and sealed away for folks. See I just need to schedule it all and make it happen thats all. Simple suppers on these nights. Tonight will be toast bread with tuna on it. Easy! If I can get the baking out of the way and soaps by sunday it will be easy sailing from here in. Oh wrapping but my daughter will help me if I need it and she is fast with it. Judy I am trying to limit my groceries as well using up some freezer stuff this week. The extra baking is an expense for sure but well worth the family traditions. Some day when I retire things will be easier but thats a long time down the road. Hopefully I will be healthy at that lovely age to enjoy things. I should of thrown something in the crock pot that would of been a smart move. Take care girls I am going to eat healthy today!

Penny hope your feeling better soon this is no time to be sick thats forsure. Have some chicken noodle soup.
cc

Judy, eeks!!!! I would HATE being photographed in a swimsuit other than my own family pictures. Oh, the thought gives me the chills. Cellulite and fat rolls, I bet that I could sell oodles of suits with my physique. :D i'm glad you're surviving your fall. Be careful and enjoy your trip tomorrow.

Carol, I love the frosting story. My favorite kitchen good up was when I was a teen and made my mom's birthday cake (a torte). The recipe called for 3 t. baking soda and I put 3 t. baking powder. The cake was tall and gorgeous. Man did it taste like what my doggies drop in the back yard.

Penny, I'm so sorry about the nasty cold. Makes holiday cheer sort of hard. Take echnicea and golden seal. It knocked mine out this past fall. On the bright side you're on track calorie wise. :D

I jogged 3 miles this morning and it's my day to get off an hour early to take the dogs on the 2 mile walk. It is raining however. I love the desert. :devil: Okay, I hate rain and I call this the desert rain forest because in December we get most of our annual moisture. But I will take the dogs out regardless if it is raining. If it is, I'll be taking a hot bubble bath afterwards.

Carol, the DVDs are on their way. I love the internet, click and ship through USPS and voila, I don't have to go to the post office. The mail man will pick it up.

Time to work I suppose. :?:
Marie

Penny, I hope you'er feeling better today! At leaast your appetite's not a problem when you're feeling sickly. Practically everything makes me want to eat, just to have a different sensory experience than misery :( .

The stories about cooking flubs cracked me up. I have so many....when I was a teenager, proud of my poundcake-baking skills, I used tiny bundt pans to make mini-pound cakes. Alas, they came out as something more like weird, over-browned cookies, what a waste of batter!

Today is a frantic day, four longs meetings have left my brain frazzled. I brought carrots in for the afternoon crunchies, but instead I'm indulging in carmel rice-and popcorn cakes, carrots ar too healthy to deal with my stress at the moment! I wasn't comfortable working out this morning, and I haven't been to Curves yet this week, so that's a drag. But the bandages are off my hand, and my knee is steadily improving, so maybe tomorrow....

judy

Marie thats super and I can't wait to wrap them up for her. I am winding down a bit on shopping. At least I know what I need basically to finish up. A few runs here and there and of course aways last min. things. Stocking stuffers and all. We still do our adult children Dad enjoys doing this part for them. So I need to find their favorite candy couple lottery tickets etc. No biggies but they add up. Last night was soap night Penny which you'd been here it was like a little factory an assembly line for sure. Next time we need a few more molds to do it a bit more quickly. But in about 3 hrs. and a couple glasses of red wine we got finished and the kitchen cleaned up. My favorite soaps last night were the lime,lavender, poppyseed and the oatmeal w/ orange peel, oatmeal, ginger and cinn. in them. Fun and pretty I say! Tonight we will wrap them up and put together a couple of recipe jars for gifts. We also have our gingerbread houses to finish up. They both are put together now. But my friends walls kept falling down we had a few good laughs! Thank God for such nice girl friend I am blessed. We look out for each other and help one another all the time and she lives right next door. For country living thats pretty good. We are having our Christmas celebration together this weekend shrimp, steak grilled outside its in the high 40's crazy weather. My cals were good yesterday I did manage to have a handful of mm's at work. But other than that it was a pretty good day. I will jump on the scale friday. I missed yesterday! Marie keep up that exercising! Liked the cake story!
Judy watch that knee don't push it too much it could end up lasting a lot longer. I have had my knee surgery etc. oh how well I know the misery of a sore knee. The baking stories are great! My daughter in law's first ham she baked pour thing put it in the oven went 4 wheeling for a bit with the son and came back to realize it smelled great but she never removed the plastic which is the 2nd seal. Poor thing I remember that phone call. I have the meeting syndrome today Judy. One annual this a.m. and 2 new intakes this afternoon. One is the high proirity case then the other is one I requested. So now I am all filled up again. Lots of paperwork. I have a little cold I am fighting off no time to be sick. Lots of flu symptons going on in our area. One nursing home shut down 2 units yesterday. Its scary to have so many weird things going on this yr. I guess maybe the suffering of my flu shot was well worth it. Though it wasn't very nice for almost a week.
Take care girls Judy good job with the rice cakes. I in the past have take one put a little peanut butter on a few choc. chips on top then microwaved for a itty bit. Oh so good and not so bad for us nice treat ck it out.
I plan on being good today. I am putting pork in the crock pot with sauce. The girls are going to have dinner here before we start our projects tonight.

Carol, I'm gong to start calling you "Mrs. Claus," in honor of your holiday spirit and energy :mrsclaus: ! Some people work themselves into a frazzle and are stressed and unhappy, but it sounds like you've figured out how to have fun while shopping and making gifts. Good for you! Another cooking story: when I was young I loved going to a certain restaurant in Chicago and having their pan-fried trout. So I bought a frozen, boxed trout fillet one day, and put it in the frig to thaw out. The next day, my mouth watering, I pulled out the frying pan, pepepr, flour, etc., but when I opened the package, I saw that the head was still on it:faint: I'm a city girl and pretty squeamish, but it cost too much to throw away. So I called a friend on the phone to distract me, covered the fish head with a paper towel, and whacked away with a cleaver...I did enjoy the fish, finally, but I never forgot what "fillet" technically means in cooking circles.

Marie, I hope you had fun with the doggies in the rain yesterday.

Penny, I hope you're recovering.

I'm off to NYC. I'm a little stiff-legged from the sore skin, but the problem area has shrunk down to about two inches in diameter, so I should be fine in another couple of days. I'll get to the airport early and try to get a bulkhead seat, 'cuz if the person in from of me leans his seat back, I'll scream! I'll try to check in via Blackberry tomorrow.

In the meantime, keep up the good work!

judy

Hi everyone, it's been a busy, somewhat irritating day. But part was nice. We had our annual Christmas party at the district office and it was very nice. I didn't want to go but the new guy and my co-worker went with me and it wasn't bad. I took about 2 forkfuls of about 8-9 different things and then dessert. So my calories are probably clown for the day, but too bad. I have no idea what it was but if the average of 25 calories per bite is semi accurate, then it wasn't too bad.

I jogged 3 miles and walked 2 miles before work. The rain walk yesterday was a bit chilly. I stayed warm and dry but the moisture made my sensitive teeth cold. that lasted most of the evening.

Tonight I must wrap and package the out of town gifts. Since I've had them since early November it would be VERY bad if they were late. :)

Judy, I like Carol's nickname. Have a good time in NYC. I don't envy you but if you're a city gal (that doesn't like fish heads...) then it's probably good. Actually, I'm a country gal and I hate fish heads, chicken parts, touching ground beef, etc. :)

Mrs. Claus sounds like you had fun with the gingerbread house building. I'm just not that patient. People think I'm patient since I do stained glass but since I'm good at it, rarely does a piece break wrong. But when it does, I get a tad upset.

Penny, hope you're feeling better.

Tomorrow, co-worker and I are going over the mountain for a training. It's supposed to snow and be icky. He's not real daring and is trying to get out of it. But I have a couple stops at the store for finishing up Christmas shopping so it's imperative that we go. :)
Marie

Hi all - I'm back and feeling lots better. Thanks for all your good wishes!

We're sitting here with the generator on as the power is out. The wind is howling about 50 mph and it's supposed to get worse tonight. We're hoping none of our big trees come down.

Marie - I'm glad you enjoyed your Christmas party at work and didn't do too bad calorie wise. Take care going over the mountain tomorrow. I know how tricky that road can be at this time of the year as we often went over to Medford when our DS was in college at OIT (we had to stay in Medford because of my altitutude problem).

Judy - I feel for you having to go on a trip when you're still sore. You're a real trooper! I had to laugh at your 'fish' story! I did quite a bit of fishing with our son, so I'm not so squeamish about such things. Once you've put live bait on a hook you can cope with anything! I don't like fishing anymore though as I now feel sorry for the fish.

Carol - or should I say "Mrs. Claus" :lol: Send me some of your energy too! Luckily I got most of my Christmas stuff done before I got sick and now I don't want to do any more shopping, baking, etc. - that's it for me. My DH & DS gobbled up all the cookies and expect me to make more. Well, maybe they should have a go at baking and surprise me with something!

My appetite has returned with a vengeance and that unfortunately coincided with several gift packages coming from business associates containing chocolate and cookies and a huge package of smoked Alaska salmon! Having the power out has made me eat like a cave woman stocking up on fat for the winter! I'm going to have to work out hard at Curves tomorrow.

Judy I enjoyed the fish story. When my son was abut 15 he fished a lot. I got to clean the fish one day. By the time I was done there wasn't much left to his big catch of the day. After that I don't rember doing anothe one. I love to fish myself but the hubby has no interest. My girl friends fish too crazy bunch we are. Enjoy NYC hope you get to the park to see the pretty lights I have never been there for Christmas. I only live about 4hrs away but never attempt the city. Someday the girls and I will venture.
Thanks for the nickname cute! Sometimes I do feel like her though. I did finish the gingerbread house and it came out pretty cool. Better than last years I guess it takes some practice. My SIL loved it and it really is for her as part of her request as a gift. So the little grandson says to her yah know your suppose to share! Out of the mouth of babes. I loved it. Sometimes children are just great to have around. They were all over last night for a bit. It was a bit crazy wrapping soaps, making dinner, gingerbread houses etc.... But I wouldn't trade it for anything this is Christmas! Today I am taking a day off from work a bit of sinus started here and I don't want to over exert myself. Yesterday was 2 days wrapped into one at work. I put out a lot so off today doesn't sound like a bad thing at all. I have things pretty much done at the office nothing I can't catch up on Monday. My scale is the same but that is okay I haven't been an angel by any means but not totally bad either. We are having our Christmas party at our house on saturday with our friends. Steak grilled outside, shrimp, baked potatoe and salad, bread and some dessert of course. Maybe I will whip up a cake ? Time will tell I still have some cookies to bake. Marie I am with you on getting those gifts out of town mailed. I did send a box of cookies on Wed. but now need to get their pkg out or it will miss them. I send it with the packaging in a special box purchased at the post office 8.10 anywhere in the US and it suppose to get there with in 2-3 days normally christmas and HI well more like 5-6. So out today I say. I need to get my little stocking made up for them I am going to cut it out in a bit and sew it tog. Wrap some little surprises inside it. Then a few other things and off to the post office. I am sending a couple of gift cards too. Well take care and at this time it would be great to lose a lb. but tough to manage. All the little tastes of this and that adds up. Penny no fun hope your power is back on soon. The wind can be rough. Losing trees is dangerous and upsetting thats for sure hope they stay put. We have been having crazy weather never like this before 60's yesterday in December! Normally we would be shoveling snow knee high by now. The ski resorts aren't too happy and it really hurts them but for me I love it. Driving my normal day is about round trip with clients and all 50 miles. Penny sometimes when the power is out I don't mind as long is its only for a few hrs. but how long has yours been out? We have a generator after that storm 8 years ago when power was out for a few days. Take care!

Happy, happy Friday. Finally, the day I wanted to arrive did and the trip across the mountain was good. Learned loads and shopped a little bit. But more than that it's vacation time!!!! I don't go back until the 2nd. I am so happy. Can you tell????

Before I left I did 3 miles jogging and 2 miles walking but boy was I tired. Usually I perk up after about 1/2 mile but no today. I'm tired. Tomorrow I'm sleeping in by an hour. Then I'll probably bump it to 7 for the duration of the vacation. No need to get up a 5, right???

Sunday we're going to Crater Lake with my co-worker and his wife. We're going to go snowshoeing. We have two extra sets that our sons rarely used so they're going to join us.

I bought myself a couple gifts today. Another pair of smaller jeans, a coffee grinder (for my new expresso machine I bought last week) and a stirring stick blender thingie. Yes I'm getting into mochas. I make them with the expresso, 1 c. skim milk, a T. of unsweetened cocoa and some equal. Only about 110 calories and terribly good.

I've started listening to Cesar's Way about dog training today. I guess I'm not a good leader. "Don't treat your dogs like humans, they're dogs" Okay I understand why, but they're my babies. So I'm thinking I won't be terribly successful. :)

Penny, so glad you're feeling better and I hope you're weathering out the storm. I read about the high winds and destruction a bit ago. We got some high winds but not too much. A little snow and that's about it.

Carol, I totally agree you about it would be nice to lose a pound for Christmas but probably won't happen. This week has been the hardest of all for food wise. I need to get on track but I'm thinking maintaining until after the holidays would be a success.

Well, it's bed time so I'll chat later.
Marie

Carol - I hope your party went well. Your soap making sounds like fun - a glass of wine always makes things go smoother, I say! I'm glad your lavender/lime/poppyseed soaps turned out nicely. They are quite colorful and a bit different. This year I made labels by printing them on my computer and just cutting in about 3" strips and wrapping around the soap, sealing with a bit of clear tape. I put different graphics on them from the web, nice pictures of lavender for the lavender ones and a little beehive graphic for the honey & oatmeal, etc. I got lots of compliments on how they looked and it was easy to do. It sounds like you've been having quite a heat wave! The weather has been weird this year.

Marie - Yay for you being on vacation! Your snowshoeing plans sound like fun. I'll have to try your mocha idea. I make us a latte on my handy dandy little espresso machine every day so I'm going to try adding a bit of cocoa powder next time. I hope your dog training is going well. I think I'm too much of a softie to be successful training a dog. We only have cats, so you can forget about training them to do anything! I was in a store the other day and a black lab service dog was there waiting with his owner off-leash. He nuzzled me in the leg and tried to follow me out of the store, even though I hadn't paid any attention to him as I know that's a no-no. He had such a sad expression like he just wanted to go out and play. He was in big trouble and the trainer told him off very sternly. He looked over at me with such a hang-dog expression! Maybe he's just starting out and will learn not to be distracted.

Judy - I hope things are going well for you.

We were luckier than a lot of people up here with the big wind storm. We only had a few branches and some debris to clean up. The power was out for 8 hours so we were glad to have the generator. There are still folks who've been out of power for 3 days, so we're very fortunate.

Have a good week everybody!

I'm back from a very fun trip to NYC. The folks I met with surprised me with a special dinner Thursday evening (I'm ''retiring" from the board of directors), and gave me a huge bouquet of flowers and a massive piece of artwork which they'll have to ship to my office. Needless to say I ate and drank like a person who's not trying to lose weight....but I made better choices the rest of the trip. I stayed at a lovely Brooklyn guesthouse, and had fun gift-shopping before I left on Saturday. I've been housecleaning, and just mailed 50 Xmas cards. The skin on my poor knee looks like something out of the leper scene in "Ben-Hur," but I walked a lot in New York, as always, and I walked nearly an hour this afternoon. I think I can climb in and out of the machines at Curves on Monday without cursing :censored:, and I am desperate to get back to my workout schedule. It doesn't look too good for my New Year's goal, but if I can end the year with some momentum despite the setback, I'll be content. Not happy, but content.

Penny, I'm so glad that you're feeling better, and that the storm wasn't too terrible for you. It's such a drag to lose power for an extended period of time. I don't know how those cavewomen did it :smug: .

Marie, happy vacation! Mine start's on Wednesday, and I won't be back to the office until 1/2, yippee! I do love Cesar the Dog Whisperer, although I've never owned dog. Sometimes I see people on the street talking with their dogs as if the mutt was fluent in English. Remember that old "Far Side" cartoon, of what a dog hears ("Blablablablabla...")? Plus Cesar's kinda cute and moves like a dancer.

Carol, I hope you're pacing yourself! It would be a total drag to be sick by the time the big day rolls around. I wold be hard pressed to do all that baking and not nibble all the time. Officially avoiding wheat is the only thing saving me this year, and still I find plenty of gluten-free alternatives, like chocolate...

Gotta run, back tomorrow.

Happy Sunday Everyone!!! The snowshoeing was great. So are you ready for this??? Last year we went once and I was miserable - I could hardly make it to my tree (I have a tree there even though noody but my family and now my co-worker know it). Anyway, I made it to the tree last year but had to climb back up. It was horrible. I'd say it's what started my new year's resolution and the walking since then. So fast forward to today and zoom. I had to wait for my co-worker and his wife. I knew the points that I would ahve been ready to pass out so DH and I stopped and waited. I did great. I hardly breathed ard although I did sweat (even though it was 20 degrees out - sunny and no wind). It was a great workout but it wasn't hard. I CAN NOT wait to go back. Last year I didn't want to go back ever. To be honest, that was better than the losing weight happiness all year. This was so significant. By the way, I checked my whole spreadsheet and have less than 30 miles to go on the walking/jogging to hit 1000 miles for 2006. I am going to make it even though I'm enjoying the cycling so much. Pretty amazing.

Judy, sounds like you had a great time and you're healing from your fall. On the missed goal idea, keep in mind your body will only lose weight at the rate it wants, pretty much no matter what we do. I've been on a plateau for 6 weeks and it seems pretty stuck with me. Doesn't matter that I exercise like a fiend or that I cap my calories at 1700. I just am not losing. So the moral is to just keep on track and strive towards the destination no matter how fast or slow you arrive. And being part of real life means that you live occasionally without worry of the calorie content.

Last night we went to the Winter Lights display at a local park. It was awesome (my favorite part of the holidays is the decorated houses). So it was like a feeding frenzy for my eyes. We had a great time. Some of my favorite baroque music was piped through the sound system so it was wonderful.

Penny your soap designs sound so pretty. The extra touch is great. I'm glad that your electricity wasn't out for long. My father called in a panic about the weather and I said it was all north of us. He was relieved and then told me he almost called in me in the middle of the night because he was worried. Nice that I'm loved but I would have been mad if my night sleep was interrupted. :)

Well, it is dinner time so I should go but that reminds me - my co-worker and wife packed a nice picnic and I totally forgot to. I brought no food. None, zip, zippo. I brought plenty of water but thought of food never crossed my mind. Who would ahve guessed??? :)
Marie

Judy NYC sounded great and you deserve the lovely gift from the board. You do a lot and put yourself right out there everytime they needed you I bet. Well Marie and you are on vac. I am jealous. Working til thurs. but another Christmas Party on wed. I did get into those naughty cookies yesterday! Nutmeg logs are a favorite right next to the cutouts with my family. I made a double batch. The little grandson did well helping and he really did help. Thank God he knows how to roll snacks with play dough cause thats what he did with the dough then I assisted him with cutting to the proper lengths. He helped with the clean up. In another year the four grandkids can all help together and I will have my own cookie factory going. I think its great to have them assist. Some of my favorite memories are helping my Polish Grandma Rose in the kitchen especially on Christmas Eve. We'd always go to Kmart for a few last min. things while the dough was rising. Now I make the bread for Christmas Eve with like 12 cups of flour. Its great to pass down traditions and I can say we have quite a few and I am grateful for them. At any rate the party went well shopping is almost complete and my youngest wrapped presents for me while I baked cookies with her little one. So my wrapping is almost complete. Now I have to go shop for a few clients I requested funds for a special gift to give to make them feel good too. I am grateful for the funds that are being donated from other organizations and food basket for one family. So I will wrap those up today or Tues. and del. that makes me feel great. We have a office party on Tues. I am going to the gym this afternoon. I also found a nice dress to ck out after Christmas for my daughters wedding. Gotta go try it on and have her see it. Time is flying by. My calories intake this weekend is pooo! But I did rock in the marthon walking contest shopping my feet and hips hurt afterwards so I know I wore off a few cals. saturday. But not sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The soap idea is one I will keep in mind thanks for your thoughts on that Penny. Yes I loved the way they looked after wrapping them in see threw wrap we finished them off in a white shiny netting and put a nice bow on top. I did a few jar mixes last night as gifts. Yah can find so many recipes on the web. What did we ever do without it years ago?Marie big congrats to you on that snow shoeing! I bet you were so pleased with yourself and have every right to be! CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!! Keep it up and think where you will be at by next Christmas! Marie thanks for the DVD's they came Saturday and wrapped last night. Thanks and did you get your ck.? I hope so let me? Take care everyone and have a super day!

Marie, congratulations for setting a personal best in snowshoeing :carrot: . You must have been on Cloud Nine. Thanks for the pep talk. I will just focus on doing my best each day, and it will all add up (or subtract, depending on how you look at it!).

Mrs. Claus, you are still at it, I see :mrsclaus: . Penny, I hope you're doing well today.

I did a full aerobic workout this morning, hooray! I don't know how those football player do it, pushing themselves to play when they are bruised, bleeding and cracked. Drugs, I guess :dizzy: . It felt good to sweat. I'm off to Curves in a few minutes. My colleagues celebrated my birthday with one of those big fruit boquets. The pineapples, strawberries, etc., were amazingly fresh, yum, yum. Our office party is at a nice restaurant tomorrow. I've already decided what I'm ordering, more or less, so I should be in good shape.

See you tomorrow--judy

Judy - Welcome back from your trip to NY. It must be gratifying to know that your work is appreciated so much. You deserve to celebrate. I got a kick out of your comparison with football players re your hard workout! I bet you worked off a lot of those extra calories. I was recently at a party where they had one of those 'fruit bouquets'. What a great idea - it was a big hit. They also had chocolate dipping sauce with that one - a bit of a no-no but still a lot better than a big slab of cheesecake!

Carol - I know you're already known as Mrs. Claus around here, but I'll call you Christmas Carol! You certainly know how to get in the spirit of the holidays and I admire all your energy and creativity. Your soap wrappings sound lovely. What a cute idea to get all your grandkids involved in making cookies. They will always remember that tradition.

Marie - It was great to hear how much easier it was for you this year to do the physical exertion required for snowshoeing. I'm glad you made it to 'your' tree with ease. What a difference a year makes. Your commitment to exericse is really paying off - a great Christmas present to yourself!

I'm back to exercising regularly and it feels good. I made some more mince pies and ate just one which I worked into my calories. I'm up 2 lbs. from my lowest weight, but not too worried as I'm getting lots of compliments from people I haven't seen for a year and I intend to get these couple of pounds off as soon as the festivities are over. Considering I usually gained 5 lbs.+ (and kept it!) in the past during the holidays, I think I'm doing quite well.

I made a nice smoked salmon fritata from some of the big Alaskan salmon filet that one of our clients sent us and it was delicious. It has potato, eggbeaters, chives, smoked salmon and cream cheese bits on it and works out about 250 calories for a BIG portion. Great for breakfast or a light meal.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUDY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How did I miss that? Yeah I am still at it. I had a phone call from the oldest daughter last night. She said my grandson needed 24 cutout cookies for the school party and the kids were decorating them. I said D I am all done baking. She is in the middle of remodeling the kitchen no sink etc. Well she said I will use that dough from the store and just throw some together. The hubby was up at 4 to take his brother to the airport. This crazy Mrs. Claus got up at 4:30 a.m. and said I'm going to do his cookies he can't take store bought when gram makes so many its just not right. So they are all baked , kitchen back to normal and there ready to go in a tupperware container. Sometimes it feels good just to beable to help out and now my day has started off nicely. Thats my christmas story of the day! Hope you all are feeling chipper this a.m. and off to a good start as well with something fun to do. The count down is here! I still have to shop for a few clients but thats no pressure easy to do they will be happy with what ever I choose. And I feel pretty pleased to beable to help out. I lneed to sew a little hand bag for my SIL to carry with velcro to hold it closed it will be really easy. Judy good for you pre thinking out what you will have. We are having our lunchoen today everyone is bringing in something. I am of course bringing a plate of homemade cookies and chicken wing dip with scoop chips. It will not be a calories free day by any means. My breakfast was a broken christmas tree cookie I had to taste them different recipe and a banana. Lunch will be my higher meal of course and dinner a salad with some blk beans in it for protein. Penny that strata sounded wonderful. I have never had smoked salmon but like broiled salmon with lemon and dill. No one else here likes it bah hum bug on them. So fussy I tell yah. Last night I made homemade chicken noodle soup from the broth of cooking up my chicken breast for todays dip. I used the pressure cooker. I have one of the newer ones and the little nob stays attached and the kettle won't open from lock til its cooled off enough. Its a quick way to cook soups or a roast etc. I really should use it more often. Well haven't gotten on the scale I think it will be a friday thing this week. Need to increase my water intake I am slacking off in that area I know. Well take care girls and everyone keep up the good work and we will all be happy and heatlhier than ever! I feel good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh I am high on life this morning I will probably crash at some point today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Morning everyone. I had a nice surprise this morning. I lost a little over a pound. How??? I have no idea. For the last 3 days I haven't logged my food even though I've been relatively so-so. But since it is Tuesday, I made myself get on the evil box even though I swore it would be up. Wow, it wasn't. I re-weighed 3 times thinking it was tricking me. So I'm going to change my tracker. I've now lost 40 pounds. Let's hope I can keep it off the next week. Christmas eating is a downfall for sure.

I walked 3 miles this morning and will walk 2 more with the doggies a little later. I don't feel great - perhaps a touch of a cold. I've lost my voice two mornings in a row but so far it seems to be coming back. Just a little sore throat. So I decided not to jog. Oh and I started using my almost DIL's ab lounger today. I don't hold high hopes for my flabby mid section after years of being overweight and having 2 kids, but I can try - right???

Yesterday was Kody's second private lesson and I made DH come with me as well as Blizzie. He is such a prince in the training center, but take him outdoors with Blizzie (my Alaskan Husky) and he's back to being a donkey. So the trainer went outside with us and saw first hand what a donkey he is. She actually worked with him for most of the lesson. Then after he gave in, she gave him back to me and had me work with him. Now she sees what I meant of what a jacka$$ he is. :) But he definitely learned a lot yesterday. The walk today should give tell to whether I can do what she does.

Judy, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! How did we miss it. I was reading your post going "HUH???? When was it???" I'm glad your friends were thoughtful and did the fruit bouquet. I love when people don't sabotage me when they know lots of foods are forbidden. Those are friends to treasure.

Penny, I'm glad you're feeling better and back to exercising. Even though I feel a little down, I did an easier workout (hence the walking not jogging). It almost always makes me feel better. Now the salmon frittata sounds icky, but my belief is that you swim with the fishies, you do not eat the fishies. :) I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Carol, that was so cool that you made your DGS the cookies. To be honest, I would have been shocked if you hadn't. Mrs. Claus would never say no!!! :) BTW, I got the card and check yesterday. Thanks much and I love the card. Penny is right, you definitely are in the holiday spirit.

I'm trying something new this year. I'm wrapping a couple presents every day. Usually I postpone until Christmas Eve (I've been up to midnight trying to get it all wrapped in the past) but I thought I'd do a better job if I had fun doing it. So I took out the wrapping stuff and put it on my craft bench and started yesterday. My packages look better so far this year. ;)
Marie

Thanks for the b-day greetings :hug: . Since it's so close to Xmas, I've always been kinda low-key about my birthday. I spent the evening at Curves, and went home to wait for the annual round of call from my mom and other family members.

Penny, when I was a kid, mince pies were one of those things I'd heard about, like figgy pudding or blancmange, that I figured ancient people from days of yore ate in poems or whatever. I got to have mince pies when I was an adult, and thought they were pretty good! I love smoked salmon, too. You can get it here, but the quality is so much better (and a better bargain) in your neck of the woods, I always bring some back whenever I'm in the Northwest. I think you're doing quite well, too:) .

Carol, who would have though that pressure cookers would ever come back in style? For years people couldn't give them away at a garage sale. Oh, well...I hope you're getting some rest this evening.

Marie, you are doing so well :carrot: . Take care of your sinuses, you may have the beginnings of a little post-nasal drip. I get that when the air is too dry. Maybe you need to break out the humidifier? Sounds like doggie school is educational, for you at least, if not for your furry ones.

Good news and bad news re the office party: the good news is that we had a great time, I got a pair of beautiful amber earrings, and I ordered a small salad, tilapia, rice and veggies. The bad news is that I also had two glasses of wine, not one, and some incredibly good flourless chocolate cake. So I'll walk extra tonight, have a plain protein shake for dinner and work out extra in the morning.

See you on Wednesday!

judy

Judy - Oops, I forgot to say Happy Birthday in my last post - my bad!! So HAPPY BIRTHDAY! :woo: :hb:. I hope it was a good one. I guess I'm one of those ancient people of yore because I love mince pies - but only around Christmas. I don't crave them any other time of the year - it must be a childhood memory thing. Now, if only I didn't crave other fattening stuff throughtout the year! Your office party sounded good. I like Tilapia too and we have it about once a week. The amber earrings you received were a nice gift.

Marie - Yay for you losing a pound+! :cheer: Congrats on losing 40 lbs.! :carrot: It's funny how we think the scale is tricking us when it shows a loss. Except I think it's tricking me all the time! That's why I have this weird habit of weighing myself, kicking the scale twice and then weighing again. Talk about compulsive behavior. I'm glad your doggies are making progress in school. I hope you sinuses clear up before Christmas.

Carol - You are the baking queen! :queen: I'm amazed how you turn out the cookies from scratch at 4:30am without batting an eyelid! I hope the shopping for your clients goes well. You sure go above an beyond the call of duty. Your upbeat attitude is a real inspiration at this hectic time of the year.

I'm doing better calorie wise today and we're going out for sushi with our DS tonight so that's a nice light supper. My DH is flying to Oakland, CA tomorrow morning very early for a couple of days. They're predicting freezing rain so it's going to be a bit dicey for him driving to the airport. Luckily, he's had lots of driving experience in bad weather, since we lived near Toronto for a couple of years and he's originally from Switzerland, where they drive in all kinds of weather. It's the other people on the road who won't slow down when it's icy that you have to watch out for.

Oh shopping on a strick budget of 20 a piece is tough. But my cool younger man go a Yankee hooded sweat shirt really nice, the other two a polar fleece zip up. Oh one girl to go and I want to find her something special today. Well my DIL called yesterday evening and asked if she could open the boxes that arrived. I said one has cookies that one is from us and the other everything is wrapped so put it all under the tree. They are trying hard to stay out of the gifts til christmas. Thats really cool and will be more fun that morning having a few things from us. She was so excited like a little magic came her way oh how I loved that call. Christmas is giving and I love it. Wish I had more to give! But with limits we all find other ways to give of our selfs. Last night I made a little hand bag for my sister inlaw she is always losing her change purse. Now a little cloth strapped bag will help her out. Hope she likes it. I lined it with satin from some old PJ's hah hah! It will help her hand to slide in and out better. Judy, Marie and Penny this time of year is really hard on the calorie end! Party again tonight lunchoen yesterday. Too much food! Hey grandma used to make mince meat pie. I never had the course at a young age to try it my dad loved it. What is even in it? How dum am I? Well wrapping is done here Marie I recruited my youngest. She knows and recognizes all I do and always is willing to lend a hand. Of course she only has one child v.s. 3 etc. homework etc.... So I totally understand. I have wrapped a bit myself but the tree is loaded underneath. Well gotta go have some breakfast.
Have a great day and Marie how in the world did yah lose at Christmas I WANT the secret to that.

Carol, you make me laugh. The secret - don't lose for 6 weeks before that. :) My hubby likes mince pie but I've never made it and it never occured to me to make it. Bad me...

Penny, eeks, the roads were bad yesterday. Almost DIL and I did an impromptu trip over the mountains. It was a beautiful, sunny day and we had a couple last things to get. As soon as we were about 5 miles out of Keno (where I really live), the roads deteriorated. Then as we descended in elevation (much to my ears dismay) the roads improved, but Medford was a little foggy. When we left, their temp had dropped and the fog froze on the roads. It was a long drive home. So I hope your hubby has better luck. I would never have guessed bad road conditions yesterday. Ah, but we did have fun. ;)

Judy, one extra glass of wine certainly isn't going to do you in. Just think how much more control you're having this year than in years past. Come January you'll be right on board and losing like a hot chickie!

I am definitely sick - I feel blah and tired after being up for almost 2 hours. I did walk 3 miles and that was the only time I felt so-so. My voice is gone again this morning but maybe it'll come back when others wake up. My doggies don't care if I whisper. :)

I shall chat wiht you tomorrow.
Marie

Be careful in that awful weather, Penny and Marie! It looks pretty scary on the news.

Carol, the little changepurse sounds really sweet. I barely have the patience to fix a hem. But my how-to-knit DVD came just before I left, so I will have something to do with my hands.

I had a good workout before leaving town this afternoon. I brought my workout DVDs so I can move a little while I'm here. We're going grocery shopping tomorrow, so I can make sure that I have plenty of good choices.

I'll check back in tomorrow. Keep it going!

Judy

Carol - Sometimes shopping on a fixed budget makes you creative! That's how I got into making soaps for a 'pass the parcel' gift which was limited to $15. I found a lovely Mikasa Christmas plate on sale for $10 and made a bunch of soaps to go with it. It was the most popular gift and looked like I spent a lot more. Mince pies are made with a rich pastry crust (I make mini ones in a mini muffin tin) and filled with mincemeat, which traditionally has raisins, apples, cinnamon and other spices like nutmeg and cloves. The original kind also had beef suet in it but that's hard to find these days. I buy the Nonesuch brand with added brandy and rum which is very good. No wonder the guys love them!

Marie - Take it from me - don't start making mince pies for your hubby as the cook tends to sample them too! Your trip over the mountain sounded a bit sketchy - luckily it went ok for you and I'm glad you had fun. I hope your sore throat clears up soon. My Dad's favorite remedy for a sore throat was to tie a pair of smelly socks or panty hose around your throat! How weird is that??? One day they'll tell us that dirty socks can cure the common cold. He also believes in hot lemon juice and honey which is a lot more pleasant!

Judy - We just dodged the bullet with the ice storm as it stayed in the Columbia Gorge. I was on the way to the mall today and the temp was 34 deg. and it started raining. Thankfully, the blacktop wasn't cold enough for it to stick as ice.

I did my workout at Curves and some vacuuming, so hopefully that burnt off some calories. My DH is getting back early from Oakland tonight, so I'm glad the temperature has warmed up a bit.

Marie hope your feeling better soon. Not fun being sick near the holidays. So far one storm is all we had and we are back up into the 40's and low 50's just crazy weather for us snow belt people here. Penny and Marie at least you will have snow for christmas I think this one is going to be green??? Judy enjoy your trip and have a wonderful holiday. Knitting is fun and does keep us out of food can't put food in your mouth and knit without stopping of course. I am still making a sweater never finished it yet. Boy I wonder why??? Oh Penny glad yah got home before the rain froze. I hate the driving in bad weather too. So far we have been unseasonably lucky and I love it. Driving to work is so much less stressful. I always save a few days off for bad weather conditions. So far I haven't had to use them. I also would be sampling the mincemeat.. The Christmas party last night was okay I didn't do really bad had a bit of cheese and some rye bread dip but at least had fruit for dessert and only a dash of pasta, one small slice of cheese pizza. I am glad I went as my client had no family come. Thats hard when everyone else has someone there. Well take care girls and oh my dang hips are aching again. What is with that no change in my exercise etc. hopefully not arthritis. Well Marie have some green tea and knock that cold out of you. I am only working a half of day as my hrs. are over at this pt. from shopping and parties. Oh my guy loved his sweatshirt with the Yankees. I get to play Santa today and del. the rest of the gifts.
Take care.

Morning everyone, Judy where did you fly off to this time? I must have missed it. I blame the cold making my head whoozy. :) Good for you on bringing the workouts. I loaded mine on my computer and brought it with me. I'm going to convert a few to my ipod so they'll always be with me.

Penny, careful on the wet blacktop at freezing temps. I didn't expect it in Medford and when we slid, I almost tossed my cookies. I'm glad your DH will be home soon. And the plateful of soaps - that is creative. Great job!!!

Carol, I'm glad your guy liked the sweatshirt. That must be fun playing Mrs. Claus with your clients. Enjoy the half day.

I'm feeling just a tad better. I faded fast yesterday and went back to bed after breakfast. Today, I'm feeling a bit more normal. Of course, I still exercised. At a reduced amount (3miles) and reduced intensity. I think today will be Christmassy since it is snowing very lightly. I downloaded from iTunes many Christmas carols, so I'm ready. :)

Talk to you later.
Marie

Well girls all gifts del. and everyone is happy now its time to relax a bit. I took the turkey out for mondays dinner. I am making a turkey, ham and some pasta a nice relaxed day with just my kids and grandkids. Looking forward to that. I think I am going to bake a christmas cake of some sort. Any ideas? My supervisor gave me a nice compliment today and boy did it feel good. Its nice to work for someone whom recognizes what you do once in awhile. I do things because I think its right or it feels good etc. Not to impress people and she notices that. She said we all all different and thats what makes us so unique. So I am starting my vacation feeling good about the holidays and my job so much less stress than earlier this year. It feels great. Marie I would like a little snow. I hear Denver is getting it bad! Well take care girls and maybe tommorow I will even use my treadmill at home.

Carol, I'm making a Red Velvet cake for Christmas. My sister started the tradition with my birthday cake. She and her kids would make it on Christmas Eve for the birth of why we celebrate Christmas (don't want to write the name for fear of it being removed). Since it's this beautiful red cake with white frosting, it's perfect. I'd be glad to post the recipe. It's on my dinner plans. We're having Omaha steaks courtesy of my parents who sent it overnight last week. Also DH makes kitter (literally) au gratin potatoes so that's the start. I'm going to make a strawberry jello salad (its actually a Thanksgiving tradition but we made it from my home grown strawberries this year and it was to die for (not literally as I use sugar-free).

So Carol, both you and I are repeat visitors today. I'm sort of munchy, but more just wanting to zone out.

Talk to you later.
Marie

Ohhhh, red velvet cake...oh, those are wonderful! I am compensating for avoiding baked goods by eating high-end dark chocolate, which isn't on my program, but I will overdose on it soon (I hope). I nearly passed out from desire at the grocery store today. I think the worst of the craving is over. I'm not hungry, it's all mental.

Marie, I'm at my mom's in Cleveland until next Wednesday. It is very peculiar to have it be so warm, but it was nice not to have to pack boots, etc. I enjoy being with my mom and sibs, but I usually don't stay for a visit for more than five days. My mom has a small 1-bedroom apt and no cable TV, so I am already sick of the local "news" and daytime TV. But we have a great relationship, and I like being with my sister and brothers.

Penny, your dad's sore throat remedy isn't too appealing! I wonder about the origin of that one. I'd rather have the honey and lemon--ideally in a mug of hot whiskey or rum...

Carol, I hope you will get a little down time on your vacation. I'm beginning to really like your boss.

Tomorrow AM I will WATP, run errands with one of my brothers and stop by my nieces' elementary school for their Xmas program. They are excited that I'll be there with my sister (their mom) and maybe my other brother. And I'll check in again, too--that should remind me that this chocolate thing is just a phase, like using methadone to fight the heroin jones.

Have a great Friday!

Judy

Carol - I hope you had fun playing Santa. It sounds like you did well food-wise at the Christmas party. It's nice that you were there for your client who had no family. It's sad when people don't have anyone to share the holidays.

Marie - I'm glad you're feeling a little better. Your Christmas dinner plans sound yummy. We're having red meat too - prime rib. We only eat beef a few times a year, so it will be a treat.

Judy - I know what you mean about cravings this time of the year. Tempting food seems to be everywhere! It's nice you can spend the holidays with your mom and family members. My extended family are all in the UK, but since I don't have a wonderful relationship with my mom I enjoy having a 'peaceful' Christmas here with just my DH & DS.

I really overdid it with the cookies and these chocolate/coconut/cherry thingies I made to give as gifts but sampled waayyy too many of! These kinds of foods do a number on my insides (I have IBS) but I eat them anyway, knowing that I'll pay for it :?:. Sometimes I think I'm like a sugar junkie. Judy, I like your heroin/methadone analogy. I'm pretty much within my calorie allowance, but I'm afraid most of my calories have been from junk lately. Maybe I need to do some self-hypnosis or something to convince myself that these foods are not worth eating, especially as they give me a stomach ache! I guess I should have known better than to do so much baking. I have the willpower of a flea! On the bright side, UPS delivered a 2 lb. box of chocolates yesterday from one of our suppliers so it went straight in the food drive bin at Curves.

Good morning everyone well the count down is near. Still a few things to get. The hubby wants rotars for his truck. Crazy thing but he asked for them. I need to get groceries and run the wafer into my polish aunt. After all my running I really might go ck out a puppy. My SIL and hubby are buying it for me for christmas. I am a bit worried about buying one this time of year.But as Judy just said our weather is unusual and its not so bad. As soon as I DO this we will get dumped on. Marie I will need your doggie advise on training. Its been a long time since I have done it. I am looking at a red and white cocker spaniel 8 weeks old with papers and all. Its the first batch sounds like cookies huh???Hah hah! Vet ck'd personal owner the Dad is her friends dog down the road. I am a bit nervous to take on this but miss my old dog alot and its been well over a year. Cockers are quite smart and I will raise it with kids around so it will be friendly and not timid. Well guess we'll find out soon. Does this mean I am going to be a mom again??? I agree with you on the rum or whiskey when sick it knocks it out of you. Oh so strong and good. Judy hope your enjoying the family. It will seem different when you arrive back home with all those channels. I of course don't watch much tv but do like my cooking channels and news once in awhile a movie. Used to watch soap operas before all my work life started. And yes I agree working for my new boss is nice. Not everyone feels the same way but she is fair and treats everyone the same across the board. I would never share with others what she compliments me on. But as far as I am concerned we are all different and good at our jobs expressing ourselves in different ways. I have to say its nice to be respected and I give it back thats all. As we age growth comes in all areas of our lifes what we accomplish from that is so individualized. I am glad to be off from work til next thurs. If I get a puppy we will have some bonding time. I guess I should ck into more than one place? Well we will see. At any rate I haven't been eating so good this week. Biscotti oh so good and not all that bad for us compared to other things. Marie that cake sounds great and I do have a recipe and will pick up the stuff to make it today. I have had it but never made it. I am looking forward to my SonIL's wonderful breakfast as he is making it at my home this year due to remodeling his kitchen. Penny I am with you on family out of town with my son and his wife in HI. But at least they have a bit from home there with my homemade cookies and gifts to open. I hope they have a lovely day. My DIL's mom is there and her sister too. So family will be near. They are all orginally from Col. Denver bet their glad to be on the beach in HI instead of with all that snow. Well girls I am off and hope to have a wonderful day and thank God its pay day thought it would never come. Its crazy how quickly cash goes at this time of year. I am opening up a Christmas club for next year. It will be great and then if I get a bonus even better. Take care and have a nice day and hope everyone feels better for the holidays.