Hi everyone! Sorry to be MIA, but I've spent the past few days with an awful migraine. I don't remember ever being this sick with a migraine...I've been miserable. The good thing (if there is a good thing) is that I haven't been able to eat, so I have been able to get a grip on my sugar addiction again and the scales have dropped a couple of pounds. Now if I can just not start eating everything in sight once my stomach gets back to normal! ;)

Gayle ~ I'm a "cash and carry" shopper too...credit cards and I don't get along or maybe that should be "credit cards and I get along too well"! :lol:

Dee ~ This is Travis' second Christmas away from home and also the second Christmas that he has spent in Iraq. Shawn (our oldest son) got to talk to Travis on the phone last week and said that he sounded really good..."happier than he ever sounded his last deployment", so that really made me feel good.

Allison ~ Sorry to hear that your DD didn't pass her test. She may be "blaming you", but she knows that she is the one who messed up and maybe it will make her a more careful driver in the long run.

Angie ~ Sounds like you are doing great! This is a hard time of year to stay OP too...keep up the good work!

Debbi ~ Woohoo...the construction is over! I know how excited you are to finally have it all done!
I'm glad that Rob's diabetes will be able to be controlled by diet. I'm sure you will learn lots from the nutritionist...be sure to pass on any good tidbits to us here!

Cheryl ~ Sounds like way too much stress at your house right now...construction, finals, Christmas, maybe it would be a good idea to talk to your doctor about increasing your meds for a bit.

Where are our other Floozies? Shelley?? Janice??? Vogue????

Good morning everyone!!!

DD and I had a fun time at the Christmas tree lot last evening. The kids worked hard and sold many trees. The lot is a fund raiser for the high school band. They are raising $$ for a trip to China for the Bejing Music Olympics this summer.

Angie--WTG on that exercise!!! I'm jealous. I pledge to start Monday (or perhaps Sunday if the weather holds out. DH and I usually walk on Sunday, but we'll be out late Saturday for a Brian Setzer Christmas concert).

Suzy and everyone else--DD isn't blaming me any longer and is taking full responsibility for failing the driving test. She is even telling her friends what her mistake was. Now her focus is on baking cookies and cake to take to school tomorrow to give to her friends for Christmas. Looks like our house will be smelling really good tonight!

Everyone have a wonderful day!

Guess what--I finally got on a scale and I have lost 8#. :D
It feels so good to have something to show for all the hard work.

Cheryl, we will be going to Branson for 7 days. We usually go to the Smoky Mtns for Easter Break but need a change. Ya, we like shows. musical, comedy, whatever. We also like nature stuff.

Suzy, hope your migraine is all better. I've only had a couple in my lifetime. But remember how awful it was.

Allison, OMG--China--I'm glad my daughters band is still paying off new uniforms. I don't think I could let her go to China. (I know, that is selfish of me) But it sure would be a great experience. My daughter is only 12 so I won't have to worry about anything like that for a few years. My daughter plays Alto Sax. What's yours play?
Hope you can get your exercise in. I feel so good now that I've made it a habit.

better get going and go to bed. 5am comes around awfully fast.

GREAT JOB ANGIE!!! 8 POUNDS +++ WOW! +++SUPER!
My 7 year old daughter will be starting band in about 2 years. She has been saving money for a drum set. I hear through the grapevine Santa may be delivering such a thing on Christmas eve. I hope it holds her interest so she can have a decent start in band. Who knows, after a few hours pounding on the thing, she may never touch it again.

Suzy, I love your little Grinch! Hope your feeling better sweetie.


Allison, did you guys get all of the sweet treats made & packaged? How did you do not trying to sample?

I am busy getting ready for the holidays and running after everyone. Feeling down in the dumps with a sorry poor me attitude. Hopefully I will be better soon!

Suzy - Hope you are feeling better today.
I have been checking in most days, just so busy getting ready for Christmas. I am working most of the week but am off Christmas Day this year.
I don't know what healthy eating is any more. I seem to just be eating on the run these days.
I am finished shopping finally. Everything is so expensive.
Congratulations Angie!! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_1_10.gif





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Angie--my DD plays the following: clarinet, bass clarinet, piano, guitar, bass guitar, and all percussion such as snare, bass drum, timpani, marimba, xylophone, etc. I used to joke and say what doesn't she play? She simply says she plays anything but brass--which is pretty much true. She can play sax, but doesn't, and she's tried the bassoon, but that was tough at the time (she was 11 at the time--her teacher thought she was too young and I agree now). Her band went to Australia and New Zealand 2 years ago. They travel almost every other year. It's a great experience for them!

And congrats on the loss!!!!!!!

Gayle--Dana decided to make 2 cakes rather than a cake and a lot of cookies, so there was no snacking!!! She made them both in disposable 13x9 pans at my request so she can take it to school and not worry about bringing the pans home. I thought that was a good idea simply because I didn't want her to worry about the pans, but it works better when you think she won't be bringing any leftovers home!

Well, I'm off to work. Might only put in half a day. I need to go deal with the HOA with this new lot we've bought. They said that immediate family can use all the facilities, but they won't give the pass card to the club houses to my in-laws. I have to get it and give it to them myself. Very weird. I also have to get the security stickers for our cars.

Ta Ta! Have a great day!

Just popping to see how you are all doing......I have dusted, cleanned bathrooms, put some gifts under the tree and now I am heading off for my hour long swim and forty minute walk. See Shelley I am still at it. I just know that I need to be careful about posting it. Larry is already concerned about what I am doing but I think it is still moderate not over done.
I did have a little heart episode at the pool the other day. The doctor is sending me to another cardiologist that specializes in arithmeia. (sp? brain dead) We will see what comes of that but it will be probably a long wait til I see the doc.
Well off to swimming.

You all better be good I hear Santa has a team of good looking elfs keeping an eye on us.

NO! NO! NO! DD brought come almost a full cake!!!!!

Allison....step away from the cake....NOW! Drop it and keep your hands up....turn around and walk slowly away....this is the calorie police keeping an eye on you. LOL!

Cute elves Dee? How cute????? Maybe that is why Mrs. Claus is always smiling. They say big things come in small packages.

Janice, I agree with you, EVERYTHING is so expensive! I think we spent almost twice as much as what we had budgeted for Christmas this year.

There's the Gayle that we all know and love! :rofl:

Dee ~ I do wish that the doctor could get your heart problems under control. Hopefully this new specialist will be able to help, but please be careful until then!

Allison ~ Your daughter sounds like my nephew...it's easier to list the instruments that he doesn't play! I'm so envious of anyone who can play any instrument...the only thing I play well is the radio! :lol:

Janice ~ I'm glad that you're still with us...I miss hearing from you! :hug:

Angie ~ Way to go! Keep it up...you are doing awesome! :carrot:

Shelley ~ I'm sure you're busy getting last minute things ready for the holiday. Happy Hanukkah! :stardav:

Thank you Suzy!

Yes, I have been very busy. We are having a get together today at my Mom's, which will be after my new refrigerator is delivered. My house is such a disaster right now that I can't even set up the menorah. It's raining out, so for my workout I will be working in the house, try to arrange stuff. I ate so much chocolate yesterday that I am very ashamed of myself. I wish I would stop. I don't know what my problem is right now.

Dee-Please take care of yourself.

Janice, Yes everything is ridiculously priced. The holidays always take a toll on our pocketbooks!

Gayle-I wish I could say something to bring up your spirits, but mine are right there also. I think it's because of my eating right now that I am feeling this way.

Shelley, Happy Hanukkah!! We are going to Rob's Mom's today and will celebrate with her. Hope your fridge is delivered on time and easily! Have a great time today at your Mom's!

Dee, please take care of yourself and be careful! Hope you can figure this all out quickly with the new dr.

Allison, I am very jealous! I have always wanted to be able to play an instrument, but I just can't! I did try over the years, but well, better I stopped for everyone's ears!

Angie, 8 pounds at this time of the year! WOW! I am impressed!

Suzy, the girls must be beside themselves now, with Christmas getting so close! They have to be so much fun!

Gayle, hope you are feeling more cheerful now. Remember, Smile, it makes everyone wonder what you are up to!

Thank you, ladies!

Guess what? My bike came in. It is so fantastic, I can't wait to take it out this morning. I'll have to get Patty to take a picture of me and the bike. If you go to www.lemondbikes.com , it's the Tourmalet women's model. I hope to start back with long workouts today.

Gayle or Dee-You both are so creative with gifts. Any idea on what to get evil MIL? She hates anything you give her... I'd like to do something besides pictures. Anything she is given, she always has a used one waiting to be sold at her garage sales.

We had a nice party at my mom and dad's yesterday. My best friend's husband even showed up! It was a good time for everyone.

Shelley, we get my MIL and a my grandmom both gift certificates for the grocery stores in the area. We also buy them a few luxury food items, both love choc. covered cherries and won't buy them for themselves. Stuff like that.