Hi! I'm feeling much better today. I am still a little queasy but at least I can keep food down. I am at work and hopefully it won't be a stressful day. I sit for most of the day so it shouldn't be a problem. Thanks for your prayers!!

Sami: I had to chuckle when you talked about your dd. I have said the same thing about my kids. They can be so frustrating and yet you love them so much. Someday, we'll sit back and enjoy watching them.

Ginny: Did you decide what to do about your dinner? I know you'll come up with the best solution for you.

I better get to work now. Things pile up when you're away for a day. Have a super day!!

Good evening!
Wilma- I am so glad that you are feeling better!!!!!!!! (I felt awful when I read your first post informing that you had the flu). On the bright side, it is good for weight loss and that you will be over it and feeling well for Christmas!! I really missed your posts- you are a welcome source of stability to an emotional kangaroo like me!:) Sami and I seem to be still in the trenches, when it comes to our families.
Sami- I really value your input because I know what you went thru with your Dd last year, and the Lord has really changed that for good! My DH has been a bit better with the stress thing- he will be home for the holidays, and I see that he is starting to unwind a bit. Tomorrow is his last day of work until January 2. Thank you for asking- he can be so difficult when he is stressed.

Today really blew up in my face- nothing bad just really busy stuff. I was asked to help accompany Dd's Christmas program- and was told that the rehearsal began at 10. Well, we finally got started at 11:30 ( I could have gotten so much done in that hour!!!!) and had to move all my errands around to later in the day or tomorrow. I also ate poorly- but will get back on track tomorrow (I have all my food planned already!).

As far as Christmas dinner- I am really finding the idea of the platter better all the time (but now why did I go and buy the dumb ham anyway?????????? aw it will keep and is a back up in case I chicken out) I just have to spend some time in my holiday cookbook to find some food that inspires me, and I plan on doing a lot of my cooking Saturday. (for those items that can be made that far in advance). I did bounce the idea off my mother- and she was not too excited about it, but I think understood what I was doing and why I was doing it. I know that it would be a break from tradition- but I just see the big meal as more stress, and I would really like to avoid that!
I could babble forever- but had better sign off.
Have great evening!
Ginny

Blessing this morning!
I am winding down this week Wow what a week I have been up and running everyday from 7am until as late as 4am! Today my preschooler has her party and program this morning and this afternoon I am the room mother to my 6th grader so I have her party and then I am working overnight! The good thing is I have had no time to even think about food and last night I realized I had not even ate all day!

Wilma-So glad that you are feeling better. I know what you mean about being gone a day and the work piling up! I have this pile of papers that I need to sort and the last two weeks I have looked at thinking I wish I had time to do it but once I sort it I have to file it and I don't have time!

Ginny-The best advice I ever recived about raising a teen was to pick your battles wisely! You can not talk to them when they are yelling and emotional and for me that was hard because some of the things they say make me so mad! But I found that if I wait a couple days and when things are calm I can talk and they listen better. Last night my DD was in a good mood so I talked to her about the way she behaved a few nights before and she was all sorry saying I love you I was just in a bad mood. The funny thing was she was really hateful to the oldest DD and when my oldest said something to me about it I laughted and reminded her that she was just like that just a year ago!

Have a blessed day!
Sami

Last day of work!!
 

Yeah! I have a 2 week break starting tomorrow. I go back to work on Jan 7th. I can hardly wait. It's a much needed break for both me and my dh. We will enjoy visiting with family and friends. Hopefully I can stay away from the sweets. I plan to have a water bottle with me all the time so I won't be as tempted.

I want you to know that I really appreciate both of you and need to have you as support in my life.

Have a very Merry Christmas and God's Richest Blessings in the New Year!! Let's make the new year the best we've ever had.

I probably won't be on here much in the next week unless my fil lets me on his computer. I will miss you but I know that you're praying for me as I am praying for you!!

Wilma,
Have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year! Have a safe trip and looking forward to making 2002 The year we make are goals together!

Blessings Sami

Good evening!!!!
Thanks to both of you, Sami and Wilma for all of your encouragement. I must tell you that the other day at church, our ladies ministry director commented on my weight loss. I told her all about this thread and what a blessing you have been to me since I got serious about this journey of weight loss. (No, I did not forget to give praise to our Lord, without whom I would still be in the sin of overeating) But your friendships and encouragement mean a lot to me, and I wanted to thank you for that.
Church was great this morning. Pastor preached on how the birth of Jesus has changed this world (some of the more worldly ways and religious also, of course) and - well the ending was how we should be changed as a response. A great hard hitting, yet perfect for this blessed season sermon. Our church is blessed to have him! Wish that you could have sat with me in church to hear it.
Gotta go. Have a blessed Christmas, each of you. Enjoy the time with your families as we remember the birth of our precious savior!!
Merry Christmas!
Ginny

Merry Christ mas!
Just a quick note to say what a blessing you have been in my life this year. I was talking to a coworker last night she almost died after a sudden asthema attack and we were talking about how thankful we were because both of us almost werent here this Christmas. You never know what tomorrow will bring. I have so much to be thankful for (heard my DD boyfriend put a ring on layaway for Valentines day)
Have a Blessed Christmas!
Sami

Good Morning and a Blessed Christmas!!!!!!
I just finished wrapping and getting set up for the coming onslaught of this am. I just thought I would check email and see if anyone had checked in.
This evening we were with my inlaws. Sami, how ironic that you mention an asthma attack. My FIL had an awful scare with an emphasema attack this evening. Thankfully, Dh was quick on his feet and heard him in distress (FIL was trying to get oxygen out of an EMPTY tank!!!) They quickly got him hooked up to his another tank that still had some gas left and 30 minutes later all was well.
Our church service was beautiful, and my BIL and SIL came with us. They were impressed with how down to earth Pastor is- and what a warm ceremony it was. I can only pray that this might inspire them to try to find a church themselves.
Enough of me!!!!
Have a most blessed Christmas, my friends!
Ginny