Hi Everybody
Went out shopping/lunch with my friend today. It was a snowy, windy day here. Winter has arrived in all it's white glory.
I managed to get quite a bit of my Christmas shopping done, so that pleased me. I also really enjoyed my lunch, but I still can't bite down to hard on those implants.

Maria sorry to hear about your DH's injury, but it's nice hearing that "you" have no trouble walking. It's so good that you had that surgery.

Peggy I sure am happy to hear that you are well and were just busy these last few days. Was it you that said you used Iodine in baby oil to tan with.....I think we all did or knew someone who did and it doesn't seem to matter what part of the world we grew up in.

PeggyST I guess if you don't have "lefsa" every week it would be ok to have it on special occasions. When I found the recipe, I printed a copy of it out, thinking I might like to try it. I think dogs are just "fur faced people", and they miss their families just like we do. Doggie will be very happy to be re-united with your son.

I finished all my Christmas cards tonight, but I have not started decorating the house yet. I also have to make a BIG roaster full of cabbage rolls for Christmas Eve and 5 or 6 dozen blueberry perogies. Maybe I will do the cabbage rolls tomorrow, and freeze
them, then that job's done. I sure don't enjoy making them.

Well good night all. Talk to you tomorrow.

G'day all,

Good to hear all is well with Peggy you do sound very busy

DH is home and is not well, he may have to have his leg in plaster, we will find out tomorrow! I am using his computer as he is working from home and we only have the one phone line, of course his connection to work has priority over my net needs

I must tell you that I walked around Albert Park Lake this morning. If any of you watch the Formula 1 Grand Prix from Melbourne next March you will see it is quite a distance!!! The road around the lake is converted for the Grand Prix race every March. The distance is about 6 km.
I was going to walk it with dh but he is now out of action for quite some time to come

I have just about finished all my christmas cards and I will start packing what I am not going to need anymore till we go home.

You are right Slavika we have to start a new thread about every third day
I am with you, I do enjoy reading everyone's posts and what everyone is up to.
I better let the breadwinner have his computer back.
See ya all,
Cheers
Maria

Slavika thanks again for the info on Lefsa. Minnesota people were raised on it. Not me but then I haven't lived my whole life here.

Peggy it was good to here that you are alright just busy. Just don't run yourself ragged.

Maria sorry about hubby. Is this going to but the kaboush on his traveling?

Don't have a lot of time this morning and I don't really feel good so not much to say. Maybe later.
Karen

Slavika: Winter has arrived here to. Its been raining quite a bit lately. Glad we dont get the white stuff here. Probably goining to take a while before you can bite hard. But it will get better! Those cabbage rolls must be alot of work if you dont like to make them.

Maria: DH work takes priority? Well good thing he isnt married to me! Men they just never know what is important do they? You are doing great with your walking! Bet you are glad you did have that surgery.

Karen: Sorry you are feeling sick. Hope you get to feeling better soon!

Best get to work befor they catch me.

It's raining today. Quite a change from yesterday. I had the ac on it the car it was so warm. The forsythia is in bloom. Totally too wierd. Maria I hope your dh is o.k. Being in plaster doesn't sound like fun. Will he still be able to travel? Karen don't get sick now-too bad we can't send you some chicken soup to make you better. Take care. Slavika I just finished shopping this morning. Except for a few minor things it is all done. I like blueberries - hint, hint. I have a few decorations up but no tree yet. We get a fresh one and haven't gone to do it. I hope they go over the weekend when I am gone but I doubt if that will happen. Peggy ST when my oldest was little he used to go up the street and help ring the bell at the kettle. He loved doing that. Have to go get something done to my hair like a cut. See you all Monday, Peggy

Wow, ladies, one thread and the next day another. We are all having fun, aren't we?

Maria - So sorry to hear about your husband's injury! In my experience a man who is under the weather is not a lot of fun to be around. They seem to take pain as an absolute afront to their existence and then like to make life miserable for anyone in hearing. Oh well, he sounds like such a nice man, he will be worth it.

Slavika - if you don't like making cabbage rolls, they must be a real pain. You like cooking anything, it seems. I assume this is not a WW recipe?

I am doing something so good. At WW last week my leader suggested asking for a to-go carton when you order your food at a restaurant. (We eat out all the time.) Then put half of what you get in it and just eat half--portion control is my weakness. So I did that last night and at noon will have the other half. And you know, I wasn't hungry. Might be a real good tip for me.

Peggy - I just love the picture on your posts. You sound that busy! How do you do it all?

Lily - So far this Christmas season have you had any trouble maintaining your weight? As I write this, I am staring down 3 pieces of candy a Santa just brought to me. Ahhhhh! Just gave them to my student! It is just temptation after temptation! So far, I am doing very well. It is like being on constant alert.
Glenda

Peggy: We get a real tree to. I might have to rethink this in the future tho. DH seems to always be gone when I want to do the tree and sometimes we travel to his parents and I like to have tree up, but dont like to leave a real one up when we are gone. So Im think of getting a fake one next year. Do the the smell of the real ones tho.

Glenda: That is a good tip. I know it helps me when we go out. And its always nice to have something for lunch the next day to! Im up over thanksgiving but working on getting it back down. So Im doing good at keeping it off. I dont have the temptations at work a lot of people do. I work with a bunch of guys and they dont bring in goodies to often.

Karen: Had to come back and tell you. Just got off the phone with WW. Gonna start mentoring next week for a receptionist! Woo Hoo! Only took 4 months to finally get thru to them

I just got home from a busy shopping day. It is so lovely outside, very mild and so white with the fresh snow. It isn't all bad living up north it can be downright beautiful.
Maria.. I just have to put my 2 cents worth in about the tanning. I tan very easily, in my youth I used the baby oil etc, to get as dark as I could. Now I have some sun damage and with all the health concerns I stay out of the sun. However, my face and arms do tan somewhat. This summer I bought the Clinique lotion, and applied it once a week to my legs. It was just perfect, I will do that every year from now on. My SIL has melenoma, and the treatments she undergoes are horrific. Not worth being in the sun.
Also, the year after I got married my DH tore the achillies tendon and he had to have surgery repair it and had a cast on for over a month. It really did curtail his activities. It's a good thing that your feet are better now, can you imagine the both of you laid up at the same time?
Peggy everyone was worried about you .. nice to see you back. Sure would like to see these "snowfolk" you are making.
Lily congrats on getting the WW receptionist job. You will be able to pass on all you knowledge to us. With you and Karen on the job we will be in great shape.
Glenda good for you passing up temptation. Our leader told us about the restaurant tip too. I think it is a good idea, so many times the portions are so big and we eat it all because we are paying for the meal. IF I can order the senior's portion I do, but sometimes what I want isn't in that section.
Karen hope you are feel better, don't want to get sick now with so much to do.
Slavika sounds like you might be finished with your Christmas shopping, I still have a few things to do. Did you go home after I ran into you at Safeway and get your cabbage rolls done? You sure looked good today .

We have put up an artificial tree for about 30 years, same tree most of the same decorations. Most of my decorations have "history" and I can't part with them. I do not have a trendy tree, nothing at all like Martha Stewart would put up, all in one color. Somehow my tree comforts me.

Sure have enjoyed reading all the posts. I haven't posted much lately, as I am busy doing some crafting at trying to get ready for Christmas, but I always have time to read. You are a nice group.

TTFN ... Trudy

Lily congratulations on getting the receptionist job. You will do great. Glenda I admire you for taking half home. I think about doing that but somehow it ends up in me. I have ordered the senior portions but then my dh has more than me and I feel deprived even though I am full. It is a mental thing. Trudy I don't have a themed tree either. I put on the same ornaments year after year. A lot of them are ones the kids made when they were little. When I worked wholesale I decorated so many themed trees and we started in June. By the time Christmas came it was bah humbug. I have been reading books by David Baldacci or something like that. They are mysteries in the vein of John Grisham. I think they are on audio tape. Bye again,

Hi Everybody
I received this from a friend today and thought you might all enjoy it. Karen it might be fun to take it to your WW classes. LOL

Here are some tips on how manage all that food you will find this holiday season.

1. About those carrot sticks; avoid them. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door where they're serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can - quickly. Like fine single malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer then single malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of the year but now. So, drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an egg-nogaholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're make with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and the New Year. You can do that in January when you nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10 pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at buffet table like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, postion yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention.
They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. You can't leave them behind. You're not going to see them again.
8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each, or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apple and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor day?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it all cost. I mean, have some standards, mate.
10. And one final tip; if you don't feel terrible when leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips. Start over. But hurry! Cookieless January is just around the corner.

G'day all,

Well I haven't read all the posts thoroughly yet (I will ) but I thought I would let you know the latest.
Next Tuesday dh is going into hospital as it is a ruptured achilles tendon and needs to be fixed with surgery. Amazing Trudy that your dh had the same. I am hoping the recovery will be a little quicker than your dh, not being unkind but that was sometime ago so I hope procedures have improved
Lucky I have recovered sufficiently to take over and do the running around.

Talk to you later when I have had a read of all the posts.

Cheers
Maria

Now I know why I didn't get my eamil notice. A whole new thread went by and Ididn't see it. But I've caught up I think.
Maria: Sorry to hear about you dh and his achilles tendon. Hope he is not in too much pain. Also hope for your sake, that he is a good patient, and not one of those 'impatient men' I too u sed to use the baby oil and iodine, and I grew up on a farm, and had to help outside a lot in the summer. I always had one burned spot where my shots and top would separate in the back when I was bending . I worry about the skin cancer in that area.

Lily: Congrats. on the job with WW. Between you and Karen we should be kept on the right track.

Peggy: Glad to hear is is just crafty stuff that has kept you away. And glad your test wasn't too bad.

PeggyST- Somehow I missed the work your DH does, that will require him to go to the Mideast. Is it connected with the Salvation Army, too. You are doing great with the loss. Keep up the good work.

Karen: I'm glad when I went to Norway, I didn't know how many points in the Lefsa. But they are good.

Slavika: I'd love a dozen cabbage rolls. We had those at our wedding reception, Dec. 27. almost 26 years ago. I just never make them. Too lazy. I had not heard of Blueberry pierogi. Sounds good. Do you use those as a side dish, dessert, or what?

Glenda: Taking half your meal home is a great Idea. Sometimes when you ask for the box before you even eat the waitress gives you a funny look. Your will power is an inspiration.

Trudy: You sound busy. There is always so much to do this time of year. I finally got busy and got the inside of the house trimmed. DH did all the lights outside. Now we are quite festive.

Talk to you later. Hope I can keep up Ann

G'day all,

It is 8pm and I am 'allowed' my internet access

I just don't believe what has happened. Apparently DH could have had his leg put into plaster for 6 weeks for the tendon to mend itself, but if it had not mended itself(which is highly likely), then you still have to have surgery so we thought we may as well go for it. He has to walk his daughter down the isle!
We have been told that there is a 6 week recovery period.
Next Tuesday he is going into hospital, not sure how long for.
Yes he is very normal and far from a good patient . In some ways the enforced rest may be a good thing, he is not a person to sit still for any length of time.
It is quite amazing the same surgeon I had will operate on him.

Slavika thank you for posting that lighthearted article with the tips to handle the food intake over the holiday season.

Glenda I am glad you are doing so well and what a good idea to take half your portion home. Especially when you eat out and you feel you just cannot leave it, it is a real trap.

Ann you just cannot afford to miss a day of the posts, too much to catch up on

Boy with Lily and Karen WW leaders/receptionists we have our own personal WW advisers

Well I am going to do a search on achilles tendon repairs and see what the net has to tell me.

Stay well all,
Cheers
Maria

Trudy: Good to see you! You sound very busy with getting ready for Christmas. I think Im gonna try this Clinique lotion. I have heard good things about it before. And my legs really do need something in the summer. My legs have never tanned very well, even when I tried in my
younger years. Think it will work for me?

Peggy & Trudy: I dont have a themed tree either. I have a ton of ornaments of all different things. Most have sentimental value also. Love to pull them out every year, brings back many memories.


Slavika: Loved the tips! To cute! Send on those rum balls!

Ann: Sometimes it is hard to keep up with us! We do love to chat! Sounds like you have been busy to. This time of year really does it!

Maria: Wow. Sounds like it a good thing that DH is going through with te surgery. Seems kinda of stange that they would put a cast on and then if it didnt work go thru surgery. And itf its highly unlikely it would heal with the cast, then this sounds the best way to go! Good the same surgeron is doing it to!

Yum Yum: feel free to join us and let us know about you. We chat about everything, not just weight. And are a very fun group!

Later all!

I am brand new here. And I am not sure how things work yet. So forgive me. Let me see, I am 55 and I live in Indiana, and I have been changing the way I eat. I Am doing pretty good, but need the support of others like me, so I am reading what you are all up to. I do not follow WW, but I do count calories and fat grams. Christmas is coming, and I wish you all a good one. I will keep reading and trying to figure out what is what here!