[modkittn]

Hey gals! I'm back from my trip - about 3 pounds heavier! I've been drinking my water in order to get the water weight off.

I've got *most* of my Christmas shopping done. Only a couple of things left to get. We put up the tree and decorations this past weekend, and I wrapped all of the gifts that I did have.

Busy busy busy busy on the work end - Way too much to do and so little time to do it!

[Domina]

Lori, thanks for starting the thread. I went on the shopping bus trip with a bunch of coworkers. We had a great time. I finished up most of my Christmas shopping which was great. I've been stressing a little this week because I've invited some friends over for a Christmas dinner on Friday. That meant that DH and I had to get the Christmas decorations up and at least some of the gifts wrapped.

I'm actually a Christmas freak, so I put out Christmas towels, knickknacks, pictures, etc. We put our real tree up and the next day found out the stand was leaking water all over. So, we had to buy a new stand and transfer the tree (fun, fun).

Sorry about the weight gain. This time of year is always difficult for me. I just love Christmas baking. I bake a lot, although this year I'm going to limit that. I've already made my fudge and some Forgotten Cookies. I'm staying active, so that should help.

Hello to Melissa, Pam, and Susan

[Domina]

Well, everyone must be busy. I'm off tomorrow (Friday), so won't be around much. I have company for dinner on Friday night (wish me luck, trying some new recipes).

Hello to all you lifers--enjoy your weekend.

[MelissaL]

Hi Lori, Lisa!

I haven't been on the computer all that much--each day I'm feeling better. Today I met a friend for coffee and did a little walking around the mall. Found a couple of small things for Christmas. I still have a lot to do. The drawback for me now is the no lifting, pushing, pulling, etc. so it's been difficult. I need to work on getting some things organized and I'm hoping that this next week I'll be able to do that. I'm three weeks post-op and still feel a little "stiff" when I bend down. I need to watch what I do so I don't undo anything internally. I have my post-op appointment next Friday morning.

Yesterday we got 12" of snow! It was absolutely beautiful to see the snowing falling--big fluffy flakes. The front stalled along the lakeshore so we got hit pretty good; the traditional snowbelt only got a couple of inches. The worst part of the whole thing was that I couldn't get out to shovel! I'm used to getting my activity hoisting the snow--it's a great workout. Anyway, the roads are still a little snow covered but it wasn't that bad getting around.

I finally took the plunge and ordered a laptop for myself--it's something I've wanted for a long time and finally decided to do it. It's my Christmas present to myself

Lori: You'll get rid of the 3#--drinking lots of water helps to flush the system out. I'm jealous--you're almost done with your shopping! I'm gathering a list of what I need to get. It's not that large so it shouldn't be too bad. I need to take advantage of being at home and going out during the day.

Lisa: I don't have any decorations up yet--maybe this weekend I'll get the urge to dig some things out and start decorating. We'll probably get our tree up next weekend. I do love Christmas.

Pam: How's your DH doing? Is he recuperating from his surgery? How's the weather up your way? I saw on the news a few days ago that Masshachusetts and New Hampshire got hit with snow as well.

Susan: How's the WW meetings going? I haven't been to a meeting since November 6th--I'm almost afraid to get on the scale. The only thing I can say is that my jeans still fit and they don't feel snug. The inactivity is killing me. The good thing in all this is I haven't been in the mood to snack so hopefully it's going to balance out.

I'll try and check in again tomorrow.

[modkittn]

Busy doesn't even begin to describe what things have been like for me the past few days. Yesterday I left my house at 6:45AM and didn't get home until 8:30pm. Oh and I almost had a mental breakdown Its been hard for me to sleep because for some reason I'm having a hard time shutting my brain off and just relaxing. I'm worried about a lot of things. Work mostly - planning, scheduling, organizing, etc but also some personal stuff (how many times can a person change Christmas plans, seriously?!). It also seems like I am getting hit left and right with unexpected bills. So money is much tighter than I expected it to be right now! But things will get better, I know.

I'm also going to be gone next week on travel for work (again) and won't have much internet access. But I am hoping to log on at least once a day and check up very quickly.

My latest remission test came back negative, so that was very good news. And as far as PT, I kind of took a few steps back for a few weeks there, so they are extending my time in PT but I am doing better again now and moving forward.

Lisa - Your shopping trip sounds fun! I tried a real tree a few years ago (at some point when I was young we stopped getting them because I was allergic) and it was INFESTED with spiders. My husband grabbed it (lights on it still, still in the stand) and brought it outside and threw it in the dumpster (we were in an apartment then). The next day we went out and bought a fake tree and we've used that now ever since. It just seems easier, and I don't have to worry about my allergies. I just wanted to *try* a real tree that year because I missed having a real one!

Melissa - Glad to hear you are doing well! I wish I had all that snow! I am going to NH tonight to visit a friend (and staying over of course!) and they will have lots of snow there. Of course I will have to drive in it as well. Not as fun! But where I am in RI since we are close to the ocean, we never really get more than 4-6 inches at a time. Where I grew up in MA we would get anywhere from dustings to 16 inches at a time. I miss those storms and making snow forts and throwing snowballs at my brothers