its all been so busy since friday morning. sorry i havent had time to do replies. the party went great. we had some of the most creative, beautiful gingerbread houses made. One other little thing that happened at the party... BF proposed

I was crying the whole entire time. We had a lot of friends and family around. I have class in ten minutes, but I'll be back on later tonight for more details.
Congratulations!!! How exciting! Will it be a disney wedding?????
1 I thought of you when I started to see flakes an hour or so ago. Unbelievable that in New England we are seeing flakes and in VA you have inches.
I thought the exact same thing. I'm am feeling very lucky I'm in new england right now and still able to get outside and run/walk. It makes me very nervous to even think about running in the snow and ice, so as long at the snow stays away, I'll be happy.
FWIW, I started working out again in January. I only did the elliptical and strength and occasionally really light running/walking until April. By then my long sessions on the elliptical were 90 minutes. I found the elliptical to be a really good substitute for running and when I finally started running again in April found the transition to be pretty easy--though I did start out with short runs.
We booked our magical express today and found out how to mail a package to BWV. We have found that it's better when flying out of our airport to avoid checking a bag if at all possible. We are a regional airport and lots of flights get cancelled. If you don't have checked bags they can get you on another flight a lot faster. Since it looks like it may be cool while we are in FL I am going to ship jeans and sweaters and food and we're just going to all take our backpacks and a carry on. We're also looking at doing one of the segway tours at epcot. I need to do a little more research on it.
DS called me. He should be studying for exams, but has been busy getting all his stuff together for his internship interview tomorrow. He is very nervous but excited. The beginning of the semester was so rough for him, that I am really glad to see things turning around. Even if they don't take him, it's very exciting to get asked to interview.
I tried my sister eliptical a couple times, and it is one great workout. I know you're using some of the same muscles as running, but it's much lower impact on your joints, so I would think it would be good for cross traiing.
Yay for magic express and your trip!! It will be here before you know it. I knoe these 3 weeks fly by after michael's b-day til christmas. Glad ds is doing well this week, and i hope his interview goes well. Will he know if he gets the internship before you go away?
I have an MRI scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
I am not in a very good mood. My knee had me up at 2:30 this morning.
Tomorrow back down to Rowan to see ds2 get inducted into another Honor society. This time we can see the induction. we will leave right after church tomorrow morning.

So sorry about the knee. Glad you're able to get in for an MRI so quickly, and i hope it shows minor injury and you're feeling better soon. Congrats to ds. You must be so proud of him.
I have kept running which has now been 8 months going. Its the longest I ever kept up with something since having my kids.
I wanted to let everyone know that I took all your great advice and emailed ryans teacher about the conference. She called me and we had a great 30 min conversation. Its how I thought his original conference should have gone. She re evaluated him prior to calling me. He has improved greatly in all areas. She said in the beginning she was a little worried since he seemed to struggle a bit but since has seen a light bulb go on in him and he is doing so well. She said he is happy and gets along well with the other kids. She thinks he will do just fine. I told her how much I appreciated her taking the time. I felt so much better...so thank you for all your advice again. Taryn your off the hook...no smack down is needed.
Isn't is amazing that 8 months later you are still running. So happy you were able to speak with Ryan's teacher and she was more receptive and helpful. It's so nice to hear he's doing well, and glad you're feeling better about it all.
Got the tree, it was gorgeous! Started snowing on the way over, POURED snow there, walked right up to the perfect tree, just a great time. Took the girls to the parade, it was so very cold and snowy. The hay they were supposed sit on was covered, so we got blankets and a sleeping bag out of the car for the kids to sit on. When they rode by, I could tell AK was miserable. They didn't have enough layers on bottom - it wasn't supposed to start snowing hard for a few more hours. We were hoping they could wrap up in the blankets, but ended up sitting on them. Brought them home, put them in a warm bath, wrapped them up. We've got 3-4 inches, and were only supposed to get 1

! Getting more tonight - postponing PC show until next Sunday. The roads around here are ROUGH - foot of blue ridge mtns.
Been a rough evening - caught AK lying to her friends via email and text. Attention seeking stuff, got me pretty scared for her.
Glad you got the perfect tree and made it home safe with all that snow. I love the smell of the tree in the house.

Hugs on the stress and AK. It is so hard to watch them struggle, and as they get older and need to grow and become more independant. I hope she's doing ok, and you're able to talk things out.
It seems that all 5 of us are under the weather now. I really hope this is a fast moving virus as I can't take time off now.

Hugs to all of you. I hope it's fast moving and you're already getting over it. I keep meaning to say I looooove the sparkly snowman in your siggie. You have the cutest clipart.
QOTD for Sunday:
What is your favorite holiday movie?
It's a wonderful life. I have to watch it every year. I remember one Christmas day before i had michael I was supposed to work 11am-7pm, but got out at 3, but instead of going to the family gathering, I came home to my quiet, peaceful condo, made a cup of tea, and watched that movie.
DH went with me to get groceries yesterday since I didn't drive any last week with all the snow & ice on the roads. He was impatient and said MY GOD! Are you going to go up and down EVERY aisle. Hopefully, we will not have to shop together every week this winter. I kept sending him off to get something like go get some eggs and then I could go on to the next aisle and he would have a hard time finding me, whew we were both worn out after that.
He sounds like ds. I love going to the grocery store alone.
Kathy
to Michael!!! Sounds like a fun weekend and so much better than lots of 9 year olds running around. What a great age. Enjoy him at this age - you have a couple good years left.
What do you mean, only a couple of years left!

All I hear about middle school makes me want to freeze time right here. It's such a tough time and so hard to let your kids go and make decisions on their own, and learn from them.
Every time I woke up and had to measure my cereal, I felt angry and depressed all day

That is so funny. I have always done well with ww when I follow it. I'm tempted to rejoin to check out the new program, but I don't want to spend the money.
"Do or do not, there is no try".
I went ahead and did my 10M this afternoon. Ok, gotta track down dh so we can decide how to sanction ds. He brought home his progress report today and instead of the A+ he had in Music Theory last quarter, he has a D

He says it's because it's only based on one pop quiz -- needless to say that is not acceptable, and now we have to figure out how to motivate him and at the same time allow him to participate in church youth group, and our family holiday activities. I think this might call for surrendering the I-pod Touch for awhile, or some tv-less nights. I told him he couldn't use anything electronic until dh and I discussed it. It's been less than 2 hours and he has no idea what to do with himself. I suggested homework or reading, but apparently that is much too old-fashioned
Love the "do or do not, there is no try" quote. I don't think I know of one child who has entered middle school, and not struggled with their schedule and assignments and grades. My niece truly struggled all 3 years, and once she hit 9th grade it was like she was a different girl and has been doing very well. Hugs to you and ds. Hang in there.
My pop pop passed away in march and when we were trick or treating Nicholas my 3 year old pointed to a bright star and said...oh theres pop pop. I was like what do you mean? He said pop pop george went to heaven and now when I see a star thats him. Then he was waving and saying hi pop pop...miss you. Needless to say I was in tears. I have no idea where a 3 year old came up with this. It amazed me and now when we see the bright star out at night the boys always yell hi pop pop. So i think its true that no matter how young they are they will always carry those special people in their hearts.
Tonight we went through lights in the parkway which is basicall about a 3 mile drive through a christmas village set up. At the end they have a barn with crafts and santa. The boys loved it and while we were driving and listening to xmas songs ryan sang along. Here are his words:
Im dreaming of a "wise" christmas

and "Elise" Navidad. We were cracking up.
The best part was we got a raffle ticket to fill out to win a 3 night disney resort vacation airfare included for a family of 4.

Wouldnt that be nice to win. Cross your fingers for me!
So sweet, Nicholas pointing at the stars and seeing pop pop.

Love Ryan's lyrics. So funny. And my fingers are cross you'll win that trip!!!!
On a good note - IT's SATURDAY! The only heathens I have to deal with today are my own!
I love how you can always see the positives through the stress of all you have going on. Hope your heathens were well behaved the rest of the weekend.
Anyway, I'm feeling better this morning. I've been asleep pretty much since 6 PM last night.
Mini-Challenge for Saturday, 12/4: Give someone a longer than usual hug today.
Glad you're feeling better today. I did give michael an extra big hug yesterday. He was a tiny bit sad he was leaving his favorite number 8 and turning 9. He actually wouldn't admit to being 9 until 4:09 pm when he was born.
this hen with one chick thing can really wind you up at times!

I worried about so much stuff with DS that never came to pass. I try to remind myself about that when I'm wound up and clucking around!
Yesterday's long run on the TM was a stinker. Next week I will try the walking track or maybe we will have a thaw for my long run. I don't mind the shorter runs on the TM.
I can so envision you clucking around the house.

Maybe I'll try clucking the next time I feel like screaming at the kid and see if that brings the stress level down.
Sorry the treadmill is not very fun. I did my run/walk with my brother, and just to let you know, I will not be much of a talker during the princess.

I'm so glad we'll have so much time before the race starts to chat that we can just worry about breathing during the race. I should probably start thinking about a fanny pack or something to carry my camera/cell phone etc. Have you thought about that yet?
Do any of you experienced racers have any suggestions?
QOTD for Saturday--2 parts:
Name 5 things you are thankful for. Only 2 of which can be family and friends.
Name 1 thing since this challenge began, that you are proud of. Even the new people can come up with something for this, and if you can't I will help you!
1. my family, especially ds michael.
2.my friends, locally and here on the dis.
3. my job and the flexibility it affords and the benefit of having weekends and holidays off.
4. my house
5. my health
Since this challenge started in sept, I increased my run/walk length to a max of 7 miles and registered for a half marathon! I could not have done either of those without the inspiration and support of you ladies here.
just a quick post to tell you all I made it to a new decade....120s!!!! I have been exerising like I should be and eating within my calories. I am 1.5 away from my BL goal! I'll be back on later tonight. Have a good friday everyone.
Whoo hoo!! 120s is awesome!!!
Are the jaxtrax soft I wonder? I've thought of getting yaktrax -- maybe they are the same thing -- but I always worry that anything hard will make my plantar fasciitis flareup.
I have heard yaktrax are pretty awesome on the ice, but it freaks me out, and I just don't think I can take the risk of hurting myself. If the snow and ice hit here like it's already hit you, I will definitely find a treadmill somewhere.
We've had a nice relaxing day, playing with michael's new toys. I gave him wii let's dance more as a joke. We played it last weekend at my niece's and I loved it, him not as much, so when he opened it, he laughed and knew it was really for me. I played it for an hour today and he joined me for just 2 songs and played his paper jams along with me. And then he used his ipod nano to video me singing and dancing to Fame. I think he's hoping to win the 10 grand on AFV one day, but that's not going to get it for him.

We played Wii party for a long time, and sorry spin. I did go to
walmart and pick up my laptop, but am not feeling very patient to try and set up the wireless network today, so I'll do it another day.
Tomorrow is a teacher workshop so there's no school, so I took the day off and we're going to go to the museum of science with some friends. Tonight we must watch the new Hannah Montana. Eating was better today, and thinking on maria's quote, I am going to eat healthy the rest of the week, not just try.
Hope every one enjoyed their weekend.