Twelve days of shopping till Christmas! Okay, that's enough, Lisa.

Gosh, I had to come to work to relax after a busy, busy weekend. My musical group had 4 shows. We were invited back to a couple places, so that was good.

I did some of my baking and I have more to do. I made some candy, biscotti, brownies, fudge, and forgotten cookies. I made the dough for gingerbread men, but ran out of time to bake any. Went to a couple parties. Had to leave one of them as there was so much smoke! To top it off, they were mostly nurses (DH's coworkers). Go figure!!

I have WI tonight. I'm not looking forward to it as I've been eating too many sweets ('tis the season ) After WI I have a party with my church choir; we may go out caroling later. It's actually chilly here--40's tonight.

So, how is everyone else?

Ciao tutte,

In Rome today (finally). Had a great few days in Paris even eating .

Sounds like you have been very busy. I will try and do a bit of shopping, but you never know. DP and I spent about 70 bucks in Paris shipping back two boxes of things we just couldn't be bothered to carry to Rome and London. Money well spent as they'll be tehre when we arrive.

Trying to cut my carb and sugar intake and its really helping me control my eating.

Today was my big splurge day -- three macarons, pizza and some gelato. Can I tell you how crappy I feel. I have finally made the connection between sugar and my overeating. Wow lightbulb.

Anyhoo, we'll see how the rest of the time goes. I managed to have a lovely antipasti for dinner with roasted chicken and puntarelle as a side. Tomorrow I have planned a healthy low points, low carb breakfast of salad with turkey and then a nice lunch and dinner out.

London shouldn't be a problem.

Anyhoo, haven't posted any pics, but you can follow the trip via my blog.

Hi to everyone, I have free internet access (this is not good, I"m on vacation from everything, right?) until we leave Rome....

Ci vediamo ragazze!

lal

Had WI last night and was up 4#. I'm not too upset. Yes, I've been hitting the cookies and candy hard, but I was also dressed like Nanook of the North because it's so chilly here. I figure the number is more like 2#. Went caroling last night with our church choir. That was fun; people come out of their houses and they really enjoy it (or they acted as if they did.)

lala, ciao bella. I am so envious of you for being in Italia. I love Rome. Are you headed anywhere else? The food is so good there. If you had to pick something sweet, gelato would be my choice, too. There is nothing else like it.

Tonight I'm going to a carol singalong. That should be fun. I still want to do some more baking.

Hi, Susan, Melissa, Pam, and Austin.

Is it really December 13th??? I'm not even close to being ready for the impending holiday season! No decorations, no presents wrapped, no baking done...guess I'll be double-timing the next few days! I've had a hard time getting into the holiday spirit and I can't quite put a finger on as to why. I have my lists and I'll come up with a game plan. I'm thinking this weekend will be spent decorating/baking. I still have a couple of vacation days to use before next Friday so I know I'll use one for baking my nut rolls.

Lisa: It's quite cold here too! This morning it was a chilly 12 degrees! I told my son, as we were walking into the office this morning, that you could tell it was really cold because the snow was squeeking and crunching under our feet! I have 2 parties this week--Thursday/Friday and then that's it. Friday will be a challenge because it's more snack type stuff that I love (cheese, crackers, puff pastries...aaahhh!) I would bet that at least 2# of the gain is due to the clothing. I have my WI tomorrow and I'm not sure what that will hold--I haven't been really bad but then I haven't been all that good either! TOM is also due to arrive next week.

Lala: Sounds like you made it to your destination without and interruption in your travel plans. I'm jealous. We managed to get stuck in the Cincinnati airport on Thursday evening due to the snowstorm that went through the Ohio valley. The major problem came when Midway experienced a jet sliding off the runway and the planes being diverted to O'Hare for landing. By the time they canceled our flight there were no hotel rooms within 30 minutes of the airport. So, we slept on cots (more like boards) in one of the international gates. Luckily we were able to get on the early morning flight (standby) and got into Chicago by 9 a.m. After a quick shower and a cup of cocoa we headed downtown! I, too, have found that sugary foods trigger me to eat more and feel crummy afterwards so I try to stay away from them.

Pam: How's the weather up your way? Are you ready for the holidays?

Susan: How are you holding up?

Hi to Austingal!!

Hi Ladies,

It's freezing here!!!! The temp should reach a high of about 20 and it looks like the same for tomorrow. This weekend I got my Christmas decorating done but that's about all. Still need to send out the cards and wrap gifts. Maybe hit the dreaded mall one more time . I don't even want to weigh in this Friday, I've been eating too much chocolate fudge someone at work made. This weekend we're headed to Burlington VT for a hockey tournament his son is in. Should be fun but very cold.

Lala you lucky girl. Enjoy Italy and the gelatto...YUM. I'll try and pop over to your blog and read about your trip. Safe travels.

Melissa you sound like me this holiday season. So much to do and so little time. Sorry you got stranded in the airport...what a freaky accident at Midway! I read about it in the news and felt so badly for that little boy that was killed. What a tragedy.

Lisa part of the gain was definitely the clothes. So what is the temp where you live? The singalong sounds like it will be fun.

Hi to Austin and Susan. Hope you are both well.

Well I should get back to this lease I'm working on. Talk to you ladies tomorrow.

Hi Ladies,

Benevenuti di Roma, where it is currently raining and I'm on the internet, what is with that?

Lisa - UGH on the gain, but I'll say its probably the clothes. I can't wait until you put out a cd of your singing. I would love to hear you! I love carols too, but it is better that I am a hummer, rather than a singer.

Gelato is good, DP went to one of her favorites today and ordered the wrong thing - hazelnut, coffee and mandarine and it just didn't work so she ate some of it and threw the rest out and tried a different place with chocolate/orange and chocolate.

Me, I like them more fruity or ricey.

I have a bit more baking to do as well, panfortes when I get home.

Melissa- that was a terrible night. I was afraid that we wouldn't get out either, but since it was an international flight, we did, even if we boarded 1.5 hours late and sat before deicing 1 hour and then on the runway another 45 minutes. I'm sorry you were stuck on cots at the airport. We considered reserving a room as well, as much as I love the lounge at the airport, it is not made for sleeping.

Forgot doing everything, do one thing exquisitely. Wow them.

Pam -- Brr to you too. I would send out new years cards. Nice to get something other than bills after the new year, eh?

Have fun in Burlington.

Hi to everyone else. We have two flight options to London on Thursday and debating the merits of both, methinks we're going with the later British Airways one because we can at least use the lounge and do a on line check in. I had the most obnoxious must have been a fidgety and nervous flyer who kept on slamming the seat back into my knees (my knees, my sub 5' knees), so I'm going with something with moderately better conditions.

Anyways, I'll talk to you all tomorrow.

Hi to Susan and Austin as well.

ciao ragazze!

lala

Melissa, brrr! I can't believe your temps there. I also can't believe what happened to you at the airport. That plane accident at Midway was really scary. I think lala's right--just do what you can for Christmas. Sometimes the cards just don't get done.

Pam, brrr! to you too. That is just too cold. I hear you on the fudge. I love it.

lala, actually, my group has started a CD and I plan to record something over the Christmas break. The CD probably won't be ready till next spring though. I'll let you know.

Hi to Susan and Austin.

DH went to WI last night and is at his goal weight. That has not happened in 3 years! He is quite upset, but I reminded him that he had been hitting the cookies and candies pretty hard. This time of year is so difficult for both of us.

The singalong last night was a lot of fun. There were several children there and the library had a Santa Claus (who actually looked the part).

Another chilly morning here--a bone-chilling 16 degrees! The office is cold this morning and I'm wondering if the heat is on to full potential. Yesterday it was quite warm in here and today my feet are cold. Kinda figures that I wore a skirt today and my feet are cold!

Pam: I don't have any decorating done at home and honestly don't have the energy or the desire to get it going. I know once I do a couple of things I'll feel more in the holiday spirit. I think it's because I'm a little overwhelmed. I need to get some serious shopping done!

Lala: I LOVE chocolate/orange gelato. We have a great shop here that specializes in it and it's only open May-August (the owner is an instructor at a culinary school). I'm glad you were able to get out without too much of a delay. When we arrived in O'Hare on Friday morning it was quite calm.

Lisa: Your DH and I are in the same spot...I haven't been at my actual goal weight in quite a long time and it's not a happy place for me. I'm trying to stay focused. The sweets are not a major issue with me--it's more the crackers, cheese, etc. I have a Christmas luncheon tomorrow and then DH's party on Friday evening.

Hi to Susan, Austingal!

Just wanted to report in that I was up .4 at yesterday's WI. It's not bad considering TOM is due to arrive early next week and I was out of town. Hopefully next week will show a loss. I need to get my drive/motivation back where it needs to be.

We're in the midst of an ice storm here--it wasn't bad coming into work this morning but now the rain has arrived and it's freezing. As I look out to the cars parked on the street I can see ice on the windshields. *sigh* looks like I'll be doing some major scraping at the end of the day! I just hope that my car isn't frozen shut! The worst part is that once the freezing rain moves through the snow will be behind it. I just love winter...

Pam: I'm betting this weather will be hitting your area later on. Hope things are going well with you!

Yes Melissa unfortunately it is headed my way. I'm really kind of nervous because we're suppose to leave tomorrow to go to Burlington which is about a 3 1/2 hour drive. Should be stressful. Weather is bright and sunny now, but very cold it's 20 now but was 1 this morning.
Computer problems..I'll be back later.

Melissa and Pam, I feel so bad for you two. What horrible weather. I could handle light snow, but that freezing rain is for the birds.

Sorry about the gain, Melissa, but that's not bad.

I have been so busy at meetings today. I'm so looking forward to Christmas break.

I hope to get some baking done tonight. DH and I are also having our portrait taken for the church directory. I don't like photos, but we want to be in the directory. DH is photogenic and I'm not.

Busy weekend coming up, but fun. Parties and other doings. How's everyone else?

Hi Lisa, made it in to work this morning once we chipped the ice off of the car. We're leaving for VT at noon. Looks like it is snowing quite heavily there. I made your forgotten cookies yesterday. My daughter really likes them. I think you're photogenic, your picture on this site looks very nice.

Well ladies I probably will not be back today. Hope you all have a nice weekend. Melissa I hope the bad weather is now out of your area.

Talk to you all on Monday.

Good morning! The drive home last evening wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The roads were fairly clear and there was very little ice on the roads; the sidewalks were a different story. In any case, this morning is a balmy 34 degrees and it's supposed to maybe even hit 40! Crazy weather!

Today we have DH's Christmas gathering (snack-type foods) and I need to get a plan set up. There will be foods that I can do a lot of damage with (cheese, crackers, mini quiche). I'm really trying to keep my focus but I've not been doing a good job in that area!

DH and I may go out shopping this evening and tomorrow I need to get some things done. I was able to get nuts to make my nutrolls so that may be Sunday's project.

Hope everyone is doing okay!

I have lots of meetings today, so won't be here much. The photo session was all right. We ordered touchup on our photo to remove some of the wrinkles!! : )

Tonight we have a friend over for dinner. Saturday is golf, charity event at church, followed by two parties. Sunday is Messiah singalong (I have a small solo). Finished up my baking last night, but I know that I'll probably make one more batch of forgotten cookies.

Melissa, glad your weather shaped up. I love nut rolls and they're a lot of work. Do you use walnuts or pecans?

Pam, be careful on the roads. I'm glad your daughter likes the cookies.