:bd: Donna Hope you have a great day and a year full of good health and fun. This will be a great year with your little one. Here's a bouqet for you :rose: :spring:

I'll be back later that's a promise not a threat!

Morning Angel's,

Thanks Sharon for starting the thread for the week. I had computer problems with a virus that only affected one file but still I wasn't going to email anyone until I got it cleaned out. I knew I could count on you!!!

Well my weekend was spent mostly trying to celan the pc. Actually Saturday night and all day Sunday. Then my son came home late on Sunday night and repaired the pc in about 5 minutes or less. Made me feel stupid BUT I learned a whole lot about viruses and how to how not to try and clean files. More fun.

Now my gingerbread house is on for Friday and Saturday a long with baking cookies and making candles. Full weekend coming up. This week I will be baking cookies everyday. Should have everything completed by Christmas Eve. That is when we have a very small family get together. My little family is not growing so still small gatherings.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DONNA!!!!:bd :party: :cake: :dn Have a super DAY!!!

Be back later.
Love and hugs,
Lizzie

Good morning Angels...I did post yesterday but lost the whole thing so I did have a belated Happy Birthday to Bren...so i will say it again Bren I hope you had a wonderful Birthday....I have not been on line much...as I am really busy with things.....I truly hope you had a wonderful day...


Donna: Happy Birthday:bd :balloons: :gift: Hope you have a really wonderful day.

I am snowed in so no shopping today but not much on line either...I will benefit from snow shoveling, cleaning and doing small errands here in town...and gift wrapping......

Sharon: Have a great day and you too Lizzie....watch all those goodies you are baking...I am only making shortbread...but not for me..to give to my daughter-in-law and my daughter...I will keep out of it...Too much emphasis in my opinion is put on food and goodies and this year will be a bit different for me...
But I ams ure I will enjoy Christmas just as much as ever LOL

I had a virus too Lizzie but my Norton picked it up...and automatically deleted it...


Have a super day everyone

Louise

Awwww, thanks guys!:o

I'm having a great birthday, I even got to make my own breakfast this morning! (yes, this is sarcasm! :D ) James said he would have cooked but since my food tastes so much better than his he decided I deserved better than him making me breakfast! He's a hoot!8-|

I haven't been online since Saturday morning, did I miss Bren's birthday?
Happy Belated Birthday Bren! :balloons:

Donna

Good Morning Ladies,

Well my yearly ladies get together went great. I had about 4 cancelations but to be honest it is nicer with a small group of people so we can just all sit around the table eat drink and talk. I got some lights outside and the garland and wreaths up. Of course some of the lights stopped working right before everyone came but I didn't care. These are my friends they don't care either and we are all in the mode that there is too much to do before the holidays and are trying to do less.

I am in the "find the perfect picture for the Christmas card" mode. It always seems to be the last picture that i get that is the one I love. I found one more disposable camera in my bag so either I gave them a blank envelope yesterday or I have one more to develop. Either are possible. So I will drop off the kids at 8:20 then head to BJ's to pick up yesterdays pictures and wait an hour for the other ones. Then I will order my Christmas cards there and get the envelopes today so I can address them before they are done.

I feel a bit heavy but I did indulge last night and it is a day or two before TOM So I am not weighing myself. I will drink a lot of water and watch what i eat today. I will bring left over brownies and stuff to work tonight for the cooks.

Donaa glad you had a fun day. Yes your DH is funny.

Bren where are you? Hopefully you aren't sick again oor having puter problems.

:wave: Hi Lulu and Lizzie.

Hi Stacey, Mari and Aj if youare lurking hope you all are well.

Make it a good one!

Hi angels!
Yep Sharon.....still having problems with puter! I just got kicked off again darn it! I am feeling better! My hearing is back about 40% and I am SO thankful!
Puter:It freezes up at inopportune times or kicks me totaly off. :c(
Problems with MSN......etc.

:c(I fell Sunday in front of the Dollar Tree store. People pretended not to see so therefore I had no help getting up. said "well s***, that sucked"....Luckily I had on jeans and my knees were only brusied......no bleeding! I landed on my palms and knees.....I didn't break anything, not even a nail! AND.......only said one curse werd! YAY!
Lizzie as you know and anyone else who has fallen....it is HARD work getting up! I needed a fork lift!

Donna.....belated Happy Birthday to you too! We be two "Sassy Saggitarians".....Hope you enjoyed your "special breakfast" and the rest of your day!

Lulu......Lizzie.....hello to you! Have a mauvelous day Dahlinks.....I'm gonna go before AOL catchs me online again and boots my butt!
Love and huggie wuggies to all..........
Bren

Morning Angels,

Now I have to tell you I have been sniffing glue the last 30 minutes so if I get crazy talking remember it IS the glue speaking. Got up at 4am just so I wouldn't oversleep. Messed around for a while on the computer then decided I would glue my creation together that I will use for a center piece. I took red and green metallic yarn and made long braids out of the yarn. Then took the braids and glued them in a circle. Wow that is pretty. But the glue really gets to me. Especially after not using any for such a long time. Twice the size of a huge pizza.

Got Hungarian treats in fridge almost ready for me to start rolling out each cookie separately. They are a lot of work but very good.

Bugs have to run be back later to finish!!

Love and hugs,
Lizzie

Sharon, good luck with finding your "perfect" picture for the cards!

Bren, how terrible are people today that you could fall and people just keep going?! That really ticks me off!X-( I'm glad you weren't hurt physically, but the knees are funny little things, so if you feel ANY discomfort, funny twinges, swelling, etc., please don't hesitate to check em out!

Lizzie, luck with your cookie creations! :D I bet they'll be yummy!

I've decided to "tweek" my program a bit and take the fatal plunge to 2000 cals/day. I was lowering slowly but I've found that I seem to average about 2000 anyway so why not just "go there" now?! We'll see? I've also decided to track the natural times I eat so I'll be using time rather than break/lunch/dinner in the food log. So we'll see if any of this results in better losing?

Louise :wave:

Have a good one Angels,

Donna

Morning Angels,

Well I took a nap and feel so much better and the glue fumes are gone.

bren, that is just awful that no one stopped to help you up. What a bunch of jerks!! You could have been hurt and still maybe so make sure you keep an eye on those knees!! You know sweetie we would have helped you up and made sure you were ok. I have been trying my best not to fall and that I think makes me a little more wobbly on my feet at times. Sheesh I sound like I am 90 years old. I hope you stood up and thanked everyone for their help and applause.

My gramps said when ever you fall like that you should always say to anyone who is or isn't listening, " Been practicing that for a week!" That is what he said to the mailman when he delivered his mail and my gramps fell down the stairs getting to the mailbox. Landed at the mailman's feet. Just calmly got up and told the postman he had been practicing for a week. Too funny.

Hope you don't have any pain or injuries!! Be careful!!!!!!!!!!

Donna, That is too funny about your hubby. What a hoot!! Wonder how long it took him to think of that one. Sounds like something mine would say. Awfully sweet of him to be so considerate!! Men !!

Sharon,
Never thought of taking photo for Christmas cards. Cool idea. But the kind of pictures I take are too goofy to be on cards. My family all think they are comedians!! Almost each picture has some one being goofy. They all have those naturally white beautiful teeth that we paid a fortune to keep that way all their years growing up. Think one of them would smile NOPE!! KIDS/MEN!!

Sounds like another busy day for you. I must be old I would be so tired by now that I would have to go hide out somewhere! My sis and I were laughing about all the times we did exactly that. We took our children, left the hubbies at home and went camping in my dad's huge camper that would sleep eight. Had everything you could mention in it!! Talk about comfort!!!

Hi Louise,
Are you still snowed in? We still don't ahve any snow to talk about. I am missing the snow so much!!! Oh well I will just bake cookies instead with no eating them!!

Well No. 3 son is home and DH is getting ready to go to onc!! Yikes getting nervous but will have to just wait! DH of course doesn't want me going with him but I am the same way about him going with me to the doc. I will know in about 4 hours!!

Well still will have to come back later and finish!! Not having much luck accomplishing anything on computer BUT the Norton Antivirus is working like a charm.

Love and hugs,
lizzie

Hi all.....
Lizzie I woke the neighbor again, laughing! I like that! I've been practicing that for a week! AFTERwards......I thought I should have thown my hands in the air and said "I'm OK"like Mini Me on Austin Powers. Except I wasn't! I wish I'd said "Thanks for your help"! LOL!
Other than some bruising I think I'm ok, but will keep an eye out for potential problems. Thanks guys! Ya'll come down and whip people!

I will be going to my second local meeting with my group tonight and as soon as my hearing is stable again will host one here. They are a great group of ladies and I think all of 'em are younger than me but..... wait! I'm 35 again so no.....I am the middle one!

I've gotta get myself in gear and my place in order. I got my maintainence done on the truck yesterday......yay!.....I was there for 4 hours! I finished my last Library book and started on the magazines. I saved a LOT by taking it elsewhere! Th dealership wanted $248 for a tune up for Heaven's sake!

Speaking of 4 hours.....Lizzie........ I am thinking of you and Cliff today and you are in my prayers dear friend. You said in yesterday's post you'd know in 4 hours, what was up.

I'll be back later. I wanna get my running done bfore the rest of the City hits the streets!
Have a blessed day everyone.........

Bren

Morning Angels,
Wish I could say I feel good about the visit to the onc yesterday but I don't. The onc said the problems that Cliff has are a direct result of smoking and nothing else. Said he didn't need a scan. Well I know better than that. All the hours and hours of research That I have done plus the research from group members and other onc ologist indicate the need for scans every year if not sooner. This onc says he will know when Cliff needs scans.

Then come to realize dh didn't tell onc about the pain and other symptoms. So I don't know who to bonk on the head but I am thinking both onc and dh. I think dh needs to see another onc but might as well talk to the hand. MEN well you know the rest. Gun, laws and all that jazz!!

The good news it is snowing!! Yipeeeeeeeeeee I want snow!!! Now this feels like Christmas!!!!!!

Still doing things around the house and making it cozy as possible. I enjoy the decorations and softness the house takes on as we approach Christmas and all the happy smells. Plus the Christmas cookies and candy making is always fun. Lot of work but I always enjoyed doing all these things. I am making myself enjoy them this year!!!

I got so frustrated last night that I ate Ritz crackers. I had all that cookie dough that I have been mixing but didn't want that. I wanted French fries, cheeseburger, potato chips and a ton of other stuff but settled for Ritz crackers. In the old days I would have gotten into the car and went after fast food and ate all I would ever want but settled for RC instead. Well life happens when you least expect it!

Finished my center piece yesterday and it sure is pretty. Now I have a silver round tray that is very old and very elegant which also has a mirror on it. I will put that in the center of the piece I made with a poinsettia on top of the mirror. Very very nice!!

I have only 90 miles to go to finish my 300 mile challenge on the bike. I have 20 to go on the walking challenge. I have 15 days!! Better get trucking!!

Need to get started this morning!! Have a great day and I will see you all later.
Love and hugs,
lizzie

Hi Angels: Well it is freezing rain here...and I need to go out I have errands to run....:c( will I ever get done?

Lizzie: Why not call the onc and speak to his secretary and ask her to relay your message about Cliff not peaking u about the pain etc. That is where I would start.....Listen I know men...do you want to know what I thought yesterday...I drove Ross (the man I take care of ) to the hospital way into Montreal for blood tests....I had covered his insulin, needle pills etc and we headed out over the bridge got stuck in traffic finally one hour later arrived at the hospital...i drop him off....go to park the car in the parking lot am walking in hospital he says I forgot my paper at home...:tomato: :tomato: well I said well let us try anyway....I was fuming inside but kept quiet...where they do the blood testing the girl was not the friendliest and told us they needed the paper...well I thought self no way are we going back to Chateauguay...I went to another receptionist...and she told me she would call the Dr.'s secretary and maybe have a copy faxed to the hospital..long story shortened...she called th e wrong Dr...the poor secretary could not find a Mr Shackleton so finally the receptionist found the proper doctor and we had a copy of the blood work faxed to the hospital...all in all i lost 3 hours of what was supposed to be a shopping day...well then i went to pick up my car at the undercoat place and went shopping...then got stuck in traffic coming home ...LOL...so do I know men...I ask him why he took it out on Monday when we were supposed to go but weather was not good...he did not know why he put it back in the drawer LOL...I learned a good lesson ...Prepare all his stuff for him and then we should be ok...and never try to do too much in one day...

Today is a new day and I am fine..but it is freezing rain here...and I need to finish up a few more gifts....then finish up the house...baking and cooking are not necessary we have wonderful shops here to pick up a few good ies if i need them but and I will make a batch of shortbread for my daughter-in-law

Bren, Sharon, Donna make it a super day.....

Louise

Hi Louise,
Oh dear what a day you had. My gosh I would have hit the ceiling!! But then I almost live up there now. I am sorry things were so tough!! Yikes I would have been worthless by the time I got home.

Well last night my son and I both talked to Cliff. Not sure we made any headway but I am not finished. I know I will have to do the follow through and change oncologist. Sometimes dh just doesn't want to bother. Doesn't like to cause a ruckus. Likes to keep everything on an even keel. Well that is not me and never has been. Right now I have to do some checking and get some input from someone who can point me in the right direction to the right onc. Thanks for yor suggestion!

Now I am going to jump on the bike. Some visual huh? Takes me forever to get on the bike but once I start going Yahoooooooo.

Louise if you are interested Monica and I are meeting in Diabetic chat room at 1:00 est for a very informal chat about diabetes. Hope you will join us!

Now to deal with the bike and walking!!

Stay home out of the freezing rain!!!

Love and hugs,
Lizzie

No i am going to hit the road...but will be very careful...thanks dear and hugs...I might not get your little errand take ncare of today...would it be a problem if it got done next week.....I cooked supper...then went back out last niight for more shopping...

Hugs Louise

Yikes you are a brave soul aren't you?? Don't even think about taking care of any errands just enjoy the day!! Plus be very very careful! I sound like Bugs Bunny or one of the cartoon characters.

I must have made some impression on dh he just brought me a cup of coffee. Now for the bike!!

Love and hgs,
lizzie

'Morning well the torrential rains are over and today looks to be dry. Never got the picture for the Christmas card brought the wrong disposable camera to be developed. Will pick up one more batch today and hopefully they will be nice. I will order the cards there and bring home the envelopes so I can get them addressed.

Yesterday Steve came home early and I got to go out and finish up some shopping. Only a few more things to find. Actually one item might be a hunt. We'll see.

Just have to find all the stuff I bought and get it organized.

Everything else is fine. I have a counter but not a sink yet hopefully by the weekend my plumber will call back. The tile guy said he could do the tiling by Christmas if I ever pick out the tile. The pressure's on~lol.

Well nothing much to say hopefully everyone s doing well. It will be another mad rush this morning...drop the girls off at school at 8:20, run to BJ's for the pictures back to school by 9:00am to help with Brielle's class.

Make it a good one!

Hi Angels,
Looks like I wasn't the only only one busy today. I baked cookies until I saw cookie dough everytime I closed my eyes. But have the hard ones done and niow just the normal chocolate chip cookies and other easy ones to bake. Oh forgot the sugar cookies. Well grandson will help with them. Rest of family will help on the weekend. Turns into a family project before we get it all done. More fun that way! Sure smelled good and tasted good. Who said that??? Well I confess I did eat 2 of each kind. But very small ones!! I do mean SMALL.

Well I am going to bed . See all you lovely Angels in the morning!!

Love and hugs,
Lizzie

Morning Ladies,

Well I got the picture for the card and ordered the cards right there. I asked for the envelopes in the morning when I dropped off the picture so I addressed them yesterday and DH picked them up last night while I took the girls to story time with Santa at the library. Just have to stuff them this morning. Had them imprinted so no writing on the card. I will drop by the post office this morning get Christmas stamps and they should be there by Christmas.

Yesterday we made chocolate covered pretzels with candy cane bits and sprinkles. The kids had fun. This year seems a bit less crazy then past years and I am sooooo glad. It is busy but not overwhelming. This weekend I will take everything out and organize it and get it wrapped. I only have to buy for my sister in law and my in-laws. I will do that tomorrow.

TOM time so I am feeling better actually hvae felt better for the last 5 days. It couldn't have come at a better time with all the running around and with the kids being so excited about Christmas.

I will bake this weekend. I am going to my parents this morning for about an hour so Dad can get out when the home health aide is there and then take a nap before I have to leave to pick up Brielle from the bus. For some reason they took her usual aide away. Hopefully she will get another good one.

Haven't weighed myself recently but haven't been eating much with running so I am thinking I am about the same.

Have a good day all!

Morning Angels,
Actually it is afternoon but I missed saying good morning! I slept in this am and felt better after a few hours of not feeling so hot. Don't feel so hot today but I will be ok. Just have to work through some stuff and try not to worry about things I can not control. I almost jumped into a eating and medicating the emotions with food but was able to dodge that!

Now I have wrapped gifts and keep wanting to go to sleep. We finally got some snow. So that is nice. Think grandchildren will be here soon. Then things will pick up. So I am going to go rest for a while. We have fudge and cookies to make tonight and tomorrow. Monday night I will go Christmas shopping. I only go out one time. That is all I can take. Plus that will be very late at night!! Hopefully around 2 in the morning!! That is the best time to shop for me.

Okay see all you Angels later!!

Love and hugs,
Lizzie

Hi angel buddies!
What a busy bunch you are too! I've been picking up stuff to take to Mom's on Tuesday. I'll do th SF pumkin pies and cake again, as they liked that, plus a fruit bowl and veggie tray.....
That's the extent of my Holiday cooking. Mom will do the rest. I'll help her and do clean up after, before I come home.

I'll see Travis while there. He should be able to talk again by then, bless his heart. I have a nail appt. Tues. afternoon and will go on to Mom's from there. My friend Cissy is coming in that morning, to go to breakfast with me and catch up on girl talk.

Lizzie, it sounds like wasted time with Cliff's doc........HE will know when Cliff needs scan......want us to kick his butt? (Doc)
Can he squat down, 'cuz my leg will only lift so high!

I'm doing good.....been carb loading at night tho so I've gotta nip that right now before it gets me in serious trouble. I have been going to bed really early and still am tired when I get up so I know the carbs contribute to that.

Gonna run before I'm booted again.....get more water and go back to bed! It's 1:30 AM
Have a good weekend everyone!
Bren

Morning Angels,

Going to be a busy day today! I hope to finish baking today. Well maybe. I make a cream cheese cookie that melts in your mouth and my family have been eating them like crazy. They are delicious but very fattening! Looks like I bake another triple batch today plus sugar cookies and about 3 more kinds.

I made 12 lbs of fudge last night! Six pounds of peanut butter and 6 pounds of chocolate fudge. Wow talk about yummy. My family loved the fudge and I better hurry and get the cookie boxes ready or there won't be any left.

bren,
I was so upset with the onc and his behavior. So after Christmas I will be looking for a new onc for Cliff. Not having scans done often enough is like playing with fire. No Cliff needs his scans done now!! After all onc's are just people and not God!

Good to hear that your hearing is coming back! I twisted my knee the 18th and haven't been able to do anymore biking or walking since then. So I am resting my knee and protecting it.

I must share with all of you what a touching thing my dh said to me. We have been going through a tough time lately. I was on the computer yesterday and he came up behind my chair and rubbed my shoulders and said, " I love you and am going to try and be a better husband. No I will be a better husband." Well Angels I am still in shock!!

I know you are all busy and getting ready for Christmas and all. Oh I really need to ask for all the prayers you can muster for my 2 SIL's. One sil is on life support and has MS and not doing well that is Mary. Dh's youngest sister. Then Edna had surgery and now has develped complications and is very sick. They both could use prayers. Thanks in advance Angels!!

Love and hugs,
Lizzie

Yes Lizzie.......Prayers for your SIL's.......and for you as well, love.
That is sad news to hear. God is totaly aware of each need and is in the midst, even now.

AWW.......that was such a sweet thing for Cliff to say! And a big surprise! Me some too! Your lucious fudge and cookies and yummers stuff! It dosn't count if someone else GIVES it to me....right? My Mom got 4 small bags of M&M's in her Christmas box from whoever gives 'em out over there......and she said she was gonna eat 'em all! She's been really good about the sugar so I didn't fuss at her at all!

I am SO exausted.....I did laundry and cooked when I came home from work and have about gone too far. I am gonna clean up and go to bed with my book! It stays about 70-75 in here too and that's too warm for me, but I don't wanna run my air so I'll use fan and whine a little. The afteroon sun beating on my door heats it up in here!
Have a good evening everyone.....I'll be back tomorrow.
Nighty night! Bren

Hi bren,
70 to 75 yikess!!!!! Only 25 here outside and too darn hot in here. Yikes I am going to bed also with a good book. I am reading "The Mailman" by Bentley Little. He writes like Stephen King! Or I should say in a similar manner but not the same.

I am so tired tonight I don't think i can do the bike at all. I twisted my knee earlier today and she is sure hurting now. Guess I will rest it tonight and hit the exercise tomorrow! Time is flying!!

Have a great night!!

Love and big hugs,
Lizzie

Hi the craziness has hit. No matter how ready I think I am it always rears it's ugly head. The kids have all their cards made and all the cards and gift for the entire school staff. Just have to go get a gift check for her teacher and make some pretzels for the secretarys and janitors. OK I am out of here to wrap santa's presents. If I don't appear again before Christmas.


Mery Christmas!!!!!!