I'm sure some of the meal sounds gross to some of you. I don't think I've yet met a person outside of my family who eats this.
How did this tradition start? That's a really cool thing to have as a meal. I love fried calamari, so maybe...... Just the visuals.. EEEK!!
I don't want to give up the extra money as the full time job has good benefits, but the money isn't terrific. Waitress/Bartending money adds up much quicker, but no benefits and since we need both the benefits and the money I'm just going to do both until we climb out of debt.
I am so impressed with your stamina and determina Deb! (And your home improvement skills!)
Just a quick note to let everyone know we made it home last night. Travel was tough as always but uneventful.
Glad it was uneventful! Thanks for stopping in, had your travels on my mind!!!
5 full shopping days left and then I get to breathe. If anybody would like me to re-post the shopping rules here, just let me know
Can you add do not wait until the week of Christmas to go shopping?
Taryn--I don't know when you leave, but I wanted to make sure to say--have a fabulous time at HHI!
Today I got a new bikini top at Target (yes, there is snow on the ground but my top from the spring would have fallen off if I tried to wear it next week.
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I am sure you will look fabulous!!!!!! Have a WONDERFUL trip. Your gifts from DS do sound thoughtful!! That's an impressive trait for a male to have at Christmas!!! We're not leaving until the 29th, not sure when you are coming home, hope we get to chat before we leave!
First chance I've had to get on today. I just spent the last 5 hours baking 5 different kinds of cookies. We had our church Christmas pageant this morning. It was so much fun! DD2 stole the whole show as the Christmas Star!
So cute! That's a lot of baking! Do you give them as gifts or use them for your family?
Just a short note to say hello. I think we are almost done shopping except for the group in KC. We can't decide what to send them.
Having to ship gifts is tough. Brad's aunt in Texas always sends us money orders!
Another fairly productive day here. Baked our gingerbread men, and michael got into it with me, so it was fun. all I really need to do is enjoy the company of my family and friends, and if I don't get all I want done before Christmas eve, it doesn't matter. So I enjoyed his visit, and on christmas eve, what's done is done, and I will relax and enjoy myself.
Yesterday morning when I realized that at that point, all would be "over" except the cleaning in one week, I came to the same realization! So yesterday morning while we were getting ready for church, I turned up the Christmas music. Sophie and I did a little jig to Baby it's cold outside, then the girls and I danced around to Believe by Josh Groban from Polar Express. It was one of those times where no one was stressed, DH even put on a Santa hat. He thanked me later, said it helped allieviate the mood. Just kinda living in the moment... You are VERY wise, Kathy!
Taryn--please say hi to Ann and Jennz from me! I am still resisting facebook, but might break down and do it after Christmas. My plan is to get up at 3:30 and be out the door by 4:00. Our plane takes off at 6:00.
All of my friends from hs and college are on FB, and lots of cousins that I love and live across the country. It's been a great way to keep up. We're kind of a weird little community, we share on FB even though we work together, etc. We talk at school about what we posted on FB the night before.. LOL. Plus, I got really close to a group that were all planning trips in July 09 on here, and keep on FB. Some of those people have turned into lifelong friends..... Hope you come home to all ready and done today!
I love an excuse to spend more time on the computer.
Sunday 12/19/10- The holidays are full of traditional foods, many not conducive to weight loss. Is there anything that you serve or bring to you holidays celebrations that help keep you on track a little bit for that day?
at the bolded part.
And honestly, NO! We do Christmas Eve at Brad's parents. She always has me make sausage balls, but has a feast of other stuff. Menu for mom's varies year to year, so we just wing it. My brother insists on a ham, but otherwise we like to have "fun food" as I call it with veggie trays, snacks, etc. Very non-traditional, but fun. Basically, I guess the biggest thing that keeps me on track a bit for that day is that we pack up lots of leftovers from both places and take them to HHI. It keeps me from over indulging on that day, but then it just hangs around....
I totally agree with BOTH of those statements!!
It's nice to be validated.
Like a lot of people, I feel that weight loss, WW, and/or the BL thread is just a way of life. I try to follow most of the time, so I can enjoy myself when I go on vacation and around the holidays. If I didn't give myself time to cheat I'd never be able to keep it up.
I think in the long run, that's the key thing there, for me anyway. I am NOT where I want to be yet. I have learned so much about myself in this journey, and part of that is that I am an all or nothing person. Meaning, if I'm good, I'm good and if I'm bad, I'm horrid. I have to have the mental focus to be good, and during the holidays/vacations I'm not mentally focused on weight loss. If I can maintain or come out with a small gain during these times, then I can get back to the "nothing" mentality and refocus when it's all said and done.
Sorry for the argument with DH.
I think the whole manly/provider thing really hits them hard when it isn't going right. And instead of saying "wow, this sucks!" like we do, they get cranky about it. Had to
about Christmas Story. I can take it or leave it, too, but the menfolk in my house love it.I think I
finally inspired by DH to get himself back into shape.
He signed up for the gym and has been twice this week and he's agreed to try the new WW with me.
He did admit that it really bothered him not be able to go get something for dinner for his family, shower us with gifts for Christmas, etc. I tried very hard to convince him that A. we don't need to be going out to eat, B. we don't need stuff, C. none of that matters.
I once got down to 134 a few years ago, but felt sickly thin and my friends said I was too skinny, so I set 145 as my goal the last time around and decided I'd assess my situation when I got there and maybe go for 140.I've never been terribly over weight, but I am a HUGE foodie, and many of my plans/vacations center around great food.
We're foodies, too, which makes this sooo much harder! Sounds like you have your goals and reality well set!!!
My name is Sunny and I'm 44. I've been married to Thomas for 22 years, we have two children, Jen 25 and Drew 20.
Welcome!!!! I will say this, you've come to the right place for motivation. I wouldn't be half as successful without this group of friends!! As for keeping up, you'll be fine. I'll admit that it moves kinda fast in the beginning of a challenge, and it's hard to keep up, but just do the best you can! DO NOT GIVE UP because you can't KEEP up. Read every day, even if you don't post. The motivation will keep you going until you can post!
Me too!! I looove interesting food and enjoy fine dining immensely. We just started getting into wine last year, and with the help of wine.woot.com we have quite a collection now. Of course, none of these things will help with my current weight loss goals, but it sure is FUN.
I love wine, but Dh hates it. I have a goal to educate myself more. Might have to check out that website... Fine dining is DEFINITELY out of the budget right now, we're in a bit (well BIG) crunch, but I love to watch it on tv.
I find home improvement to be so expensive.
When we bought our DVC last year, it was that or home improvement. I have to keep reminding myself of that when I look at the carpet I hate, the couch I hate, the wallpaper I hate, etc. etc. etc.
Yesterday was sooo busy! We took up money at church for the 2 families I mentioned last week that lost everything in the fire, I was so excited that my teeny tiny church managed to collect $900. DH and a friend's DH that lived across from them set up an account for them at the local grocery store, and took cards to them. This way, they don't have to worry about food while they are getting the donations of furniture/clothes/etc, and they have been getting a lot of that stuff, thankfully. Then we had the Christmas play at church last night. It was sweet! Santa came at the end, and Sophie was so excited. She was the first to tell him what she wanted!!!
Wanted to share the pics. Click on them if you want to see them bigger!
My little angels:
Sophie when she saw Santa:
The girls with Santa: (Notice Ak has on her "boyfriend's" phiten necklace even then. Sheez.
Today is my annual "Take mom shopping day!"
I usually take a day off in December and we go, I have for years, but this year with the snow, I couldn't take a day w/ all I had to do at work, and the roads were too bad when we were off! I hate that it is this late, but I am hoping we have a good time. I have a few more things to get, but helping her make decisions will take all of my mental focus!!!!
BRB with QOTD.
). Im feeling good and happy, I think I might try to go down towards 120. What really helped was learning that my caloric intake is lower than the average person because Im on the shorter side. The healthy habbit challenges also helped boost my weight loss 
