Biggest Loser--Fall 2011 Challenge for Losers & Maintainers!!

[glss1/2fll]

QOTDs: I try to grocery shop weekday mornings, once a week. I have no stress busters, except escaping into a book--which doesn't really help solve whatever I'm stressed about! For the season of Advent, we have a big whiteboard in the familiy room that is sort of message control. Each day I write a Bible verse. I have 2 different selections of readings for the day, so I read them both then write whichever verse speaks to me. I've been doing this for years and it's usually the same verse, but sometimes I get a surprise and select something different. Maybe I'm just trying to shake things up a bit! I don't even know if the fellas pay any attention to the verse, but I like it.

About to go out to dinner and celebrate DS1 turning 18 tomorrow. Basketball tryouts are tomorrow after school (DS1 3-5 and DS2 5-7) DS1 said he didn't want to eat dinner that late. I should have looked at the menu ahead of time--don't think there is too much healthy. Ah, well, I'll make do. Glad I got a short (1.5 mile) run in today!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Nah, Panera is a quick casual restaurant, not fast food! I admire your resolve-- we end up so crazy between Tday and Christmas that our fast food consumptions goes up!

Ah see, we are done with busy season since Cross Country is officially over (had the banquet tonight).
So now it's stay home and veg for the winter time. Hopefully I can get my pantry in order and get to cooking!!

And sorry, I can't really help you with girls 16th birthday gifts. But boys want XBOX games and cell phones! LOL

We'd do okay avoiding fast food, as long as we could still stop at Dunkins (since it is the only fast food between home and the Y and the only fastfood within a 20 mile radius!! ).

I'm not sure how I'd count Panera. I'm not a big fan of their stuff.... I think a lot of it is "pseudo-healthy food", rather than really healthy. Their portions are huge and pretty caloric for a lot of their stuff. But they do have some healthy delicious options, so that is a plus for them.

I guess that is an individual decision to make. I DO consider Dunkin Donuts "fast food" (despite my joke above), but I know lots of people that don't.

DD is definitely on my fast food list, I much prefer Krispy Kreme but that is off the list too.
So far it's:
McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell, and KFC. The maybe list is the local Pizza place, the not so local Hot Dog place and Panera.


Next up we want to plan a New England meet with CC, Buffy, Deb, Sue, Maria, Tracey (sorry to any NE person I am forgetting!).... and then we move national so we can meet you and Lisa and Shawn, etc!! Actually, I think our NATIONAL meet should be at Disney so we can all meet Gretchen and see what a great CM she is!! And we have a friend who just moved into a nice house near Disney, right???? I'm sure she wouldn't mind putting us up for a few nights!!

I'm game for both!!!!! Just tell me when and where!

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

Loves to scrap..my first thought would be jewelry even if she doesn't wear it now she would probably later on. Like a silver charm bracelet and each yr or occ add one. Or a pearl necklace wear you can add them.
The other thing we have done is celebrate"..palooza.." in my son's case we call it Marka palooza or all things for Mark. Start with decorating the house while she sleeps the nite befor bday-streamers, baloons,banners,(cheap and easy from $ store) . You can cover the door to her room like a big present with wraping paper that she has to bust thru to get out. For her, flowers,a cake on the table with cards in the am. Get as many friends and relatives to send actual cards, not emailed cards . A treasure hunt with clues leading up to the gift. And of course all her favorite foods,meals,movies, for the day or weeknd.
My kids have loved these special times. I think they remember moments better than items yrs later.

 

[bellebookworm9]

Next up we want to plan a New England meet with CC, Buffy, Deb, Sue, Maria, Tracey (sorry to any NE person I am forgetting!).... and then we move national so we can meet you and Lisa and Shawn, etc!! Actually, I think our NATIONAL meet should be at Disney so we can all meet Gretchen and see what a great CM she is!! And we have a friend who just moved into a nice house near Disney, right???? I'm sure she wouldn't mind putting us up for a few nights!!

Sounds good to me! And don't forget, I can get you all hotel discounts and ticket discounts!

*******
Thanksgiving was a success! Soooo much food though. I definitely can't eat as much as I used to. Don't know if I'll make it to the gym tomorrow since it's my really busy day and I have a test to study for, but I'm going to try my hardest to make it to Zumba on Tuesday.

I did slice my fingernail while peeling potatoes and it really hurts now. It didn't break clean off, but instead split past the edge where it's attached. And I have to play my flute tomorrow! Staying away from sharp objects for awhile...

 

[SettinSail]

Hello everyone, hope you've all had a great weekend, mine was very blah. After I posted here Saturday afternoon, I never really got up and going, just continued to laze around the house while DH & DS were out of town. They got back late Saturday night. DS was very disappointed because DH was supposed to buy him some new shoes at the Outlet Mall on the way home but DH declared the shoes ugly and expensive. Which means I will have to take DS out to the regular Mall sometime this week for shoes

Today I made an early run to Wal Mart; they have the cheapest prices on grocery items! I prefer to shop at my regular grocery store as it's a little more convenient but you just can not beat those prices at WM. I end up shopping my regular store for their great specials and produce and meat and get anything else at WM. When I got home, I started watching a Tudors Marathon and developed a horrible headache and took a 4 hr nap. Got up and did 45 mins on the elliptical, made dinner and we all watched Amazing Race. Sad to say but that was my weekend. I'm behind on laundry and housework now from lazing around all weekend

Pamela Congrats on the Robotics WIN!! Awesome! I wish my DS would get involved in something!! Well, I guess he does have BSA. A Mac Air is a Macbook, an Apple laptop. I think it is their thinest, lightest weight. I love the idea of a WISH meet-up! Heck, I might even come to the NE one. Can we have it in NYC, is that considered NE??? My geography is so bad; I thought Maine was the last state before Canada but I saw a map the other day and it was another state like Vermont !! Prob shouldn't admit that online

LTS I guess you aren't geting DD a car for her 16th...
What about a special engraved picture frame if there is time with a current picture of her in it or the family? We have a store in the Mall that engraves a lot of other keepsake items too.

Hello to everyone else. After my long nap today, I don't feel like going to sleep now I may feel differently at 5:30 am tomorrow morning!

QOTD: What a great question Dona! I do like holiday music a lot more than my family so I listen to it in the car and at work during the season. A few nights I will sit in the room with the tree in it after everyone's gone to bed and just admire it with the tree lit up and all the other lights off and think back on my Christmas memories of years past. Other than that, I don't really do anything special just for me. Maybe I need to think up some more special things just for me!

Hope you all have a great week ahead!

 

[donac]

Good Monday morning

First day back after a long weekend is always tough but this one is harder since we have this week and then next week is only 2 1/1 days because of Thanksgiving.

Question of the Day

What is your favorite part of Thanksgiving? It could be a special food, a special event.

My favorite lately is coming home after feeding my dh's family. After all the food is put away when I can put my feet up and have a small piece of pie and a cup of tea. I also like having left overs to feed the guys for the rest of the weekend.

Don't have much time to talk this morning. Busy day, need to finish my last two letters of recommendationsand then my grades for the first marking period.

Have a happy and healthy day.

 

[pjlla]

Thank you Pamela, you are so sweet. I loved meeting you and felt like I knew you so well already. What are you talking about, your beautiful, long blond hair, makes you look so young. Your dd is so beautiful, and such a sweet girl too. How did she do today? It's 7 pm, are you still at the Y? Hope you're long home by now.
I was very happy Michael was so good, after sitting in CCD, it could have been so much worse.

You are sweet. She did okay, not great. We didn't have to stay for finals, so we were home (including driving another child and a quick stop for some groceries) by about 4:30pm.


Pam's dd had a swim meet at the Y near us, so we went and visited for a bit, and was lucky to be there and watch her dd swim one of her races. It was so great to meet her. It is amazing how much we can get to know each other here before we meet and then when we meet in person, it's like we're old friends, just like at the princess.

I agree..... give us an evening with a glass of wine or cup of coffee and I think we could have talked all night!

LTS - Here's a big hug for you, because it's a tough situation you're in, and I am sure your dd will have fun however it turns out. I hope the friend comes through and helps to organize it.

Good afternoon everyone!! I just finished uploading the rest of the football pics to facebook, and with my slow computer, it takes a while to edit them, but it is fun. We went to the mall tonight, and split a sub and had a cup of soup at d'angelos, so I need to point that out, and if it's less than 45 points, which it should be, I am proud to say, that i actually stayed on track for my 4 day weekend!! It feels good. And I got out to run walk twice, and did some yard work twice, so a great weekend overall.

Hope you all had a nice sunday!

Glad you had a fully OP weekend.... that is a great week to start off a good week ahead!

I think I'm heading to bed soon! I have a horrible headache and I'm chaperoning Ash's field trip to the MOS in Boston tomorrow! An hour plus on the bus each way could be interesting! I will be bringing my ipod so I can rest up for the long day. We are seeing an exhibit on Pompeii. Ash and I ran to Subway to get lunch for tomorrow. We will eat on the bus on the way home.

I've been taking care of laundry and trying to clean up our bedroom a bit tonight. I did get some work done on the family room today but more to try and do on Wednesday. I'm hoping I can start working out again by Wednesday.

Have to go out tomorrow night too as I have a meeting for Izzie's new Daisy troop. I heard they are thinking about a Sunday meeting time which I'm not thrilled about.

Trying to convince my parents to take the train up for Christmas. My sister may come up with them so they have a traveling companion. My sister asked one of us to fly down and drive them up but there is no way I can do it and my brother says he isn't able to either. Mom and Dad saw the Rockettes last night and had a nice dinner out with my sister and her family. Mom slept a lot today and then they did some work out in their yard. Mom is still having a hard time about the dog and I am just letting her know that she can cry as much as she wants.

Well, time for some Nyquil as my head feels like it could explode!

TTFN

Enjoy the Pompeii exhibit. We are members of the MOS and got the flier about the exhibit back in August, but of course we have dragged our feet and procrastinated on buying tickets and now that we are into swim/holiday time, we won't have a free weekend to do it. oh well.

QOTDs: I try to grocery shop weekday mornings, once a week. I have no stress busters, except escaping into a book--which doesn't really help solve whatever I'm stressed about! For the season of Advent, we have a big whiteboard in the familiy room that is sort of message control. Each day I write a Bible verse. I have 2 different selections of readings for the day, so I read them both then write whichever verse speaks to me. I've been doing this for years and it's usually the same verse, but sometimes I get a surprise and select something different. Maybe I'm just trying to shake things up a bit! I don't even know if the fellas pay any attention to the verse, but I like it.

About to go out to dinner and celebrate DS1 turning 18 tomorrow. Basketball tryouts are tomorrow after school (DS1 3-5 and DS2 5-7) DS1 said he didn't want to eat dinner that late. I should have looked at the menu ahead of time--don't think there is too much healthy. Ah, well, I'll make do. Glad I got a short (1.5 mile) run in today!

I love the idea about the bible story! What a great tradition.

Happy birthday to your DS! And good luck to all of your boys at b.ball try-outs.

Ah see, we are done with busy season since Cross Country is officially over (had the banquet tonight).
So now it's stay home and veg for the winter time. Hopefully I can get my pantry in order and get to cooking!!

And sorry, I can't really help you with girls 16th birthday gifts. But boys want XBOX games and cell phones! LOL

I'm game for both!!!!! Just tell me when and where!

Somehow I KNEW you'd be up for a meet!! I think we should start with a New England meet in the spring and then take it from there.

Loves to scrap..my first thought would be jewelry even if she doesn't wear it now she would probably later on. Like a silver charm bracelet and each yr or occ add one. Or a pearl necklace wear you can add them.
The other thing we have done is celebrate"..palooza.." in my son's case we call it Marka palooza or all things for Mark. Start with decorating the house while she sleeps the nite befor bday-streamers, baloons,banners,(cheap and easy from $ store) . You can cover the door to her room like a big present with wraping paper that she has to bust thru to get out. For her, flowers,a cake on the table with cards in the am. Get as many friends and relatives to send actual cards, not emailed cards . A treasure hunt with clues leading up to the gift. And of course all her favorite foods,meals,movies, for the day or weeknd.
My kids have loved these special times. I think they remember moments better than items yrs later.

Your special "palooza' birthday ideas are GREAT! I think I'm going to stick that idea in my pocket for DD for next year. I told her that I won't be throwing a big expensive party next year.... sweet 16 party was IT. But I still want to make it a special day.

I agree with them remembering moments. DD opted for an day of fun with friends over a special gift.... but the girls still talk nearly DAILY about what a great day it was! I think it was a day of special memories for all of them.

Sounds good to me! And don't forget, I can get you all hotel discounts and ticket discounts!

*******
Thanksgiving was a success! Soooo much food though. I definitely can't eat as much as I used to. Don't know if I'll make it to the gym tomorrow since it's my really busy day and I have a test to study for, but I'm going to try my hardest to make it to Zumba on Tuesday.

I did slice my fingernail while peeling potatoes and it really hurts now. It didn't break clean off, but instead split past the edge where it's attached. And I have to play my flute tomorrow! Staying away from sharp objects for awhile...

Glad that your T.giving celebration went well! Enjoy your Zumba.... it will be a good stress relief after the test.

Wrap up that finger so that the nail doesn't catch on anything!

Hello everyone, hope you've all had a great weekend, mine was very blah. After I posted here Saturday afternoon, I never really got up and going, just continued to laze around the house while DH & DS were out of town. They got back late Saturday night. DS was very disappointed because DH was supposed to buy him some new shoes at the Outlet Mall on the way home but DH declared the shoes ugly and expensive. Which means I will have to take DS out to the regular Mall sometime this week for shoes

Today I made an early run to Wal Mart; they have the cheapest prices on grocery items! I prefer to shop at my regular grocery store as it's a little more convenient but you just can not beat those prices at WM. I end up shopping my regular store for their great specials and produce and meat and get anything else at WM. When I got home, I started watching a Tudors Marathon and developed a horrible headache and took a 4 hr nap. Got up and did 45 mins on the elliptical, made dinner and we all watched Amazing Race. Sad to say but that was my weekend. I'm behind on laundry and housework now from lazing around all weekend

Pamela Congrats on the Robotics WIN!! Awesome! I wish my DS would get involved in something!! Well, I guess he does have BSA. A Mac Air is a Macbook, an Apple laptop. I think it is their thinest, lightest weight. I love the idea of a WISH meet-up! Heck, I might even come to the NE one. Can we have it in NYC, is that considered NE??? My geography is so bad; I thought Maine was the last state before Canada but I saw a map the other day and it was another state like Vermont !! Prob shouldn't admit that online

Well... yes, Vermont does touch Canada, but so does Maine, so you weren't all wrong.

Hope you all have a great week ahead!

How about Western MA instead of NY? NYC would be about a 6 hour drive for Deb, 5 hours for me, and probably 4 hours for Kathy and Maria.

Good Monday morning

Question of the Day

What is your favorite part of Thanksgiving? It could be a special food, a special event.

Well.... I love getting together with family. DH has a big family with lots of siblings and nieces and nephews, so we don't see them a lot.... maybe twice a year for some of them, so it is nice to catch up. There are lots of nice foods, but nothing I would call a special tradition (although I LOVE DSIL's homemade pumpkin ravioli).

For my side of the family I also love just spending the day together. We spend Friday with my side of the family..... my brother and his family, my parents, my two aunts and uncles, and my two cousins and their families. I have two "double" first cousins (my Mom and her sister married my Dad and his brother) and we grew up doing so much together and have spent literally every holiday together since we were all born. We vacation together in the summer. We all get along really really well. The special foods for me would be Dcousin's onion casserole (she only makes it for Easter and T.giving) and my aunt's homemade Lemon Meringue pie (I think she makes it mostly for me.... I love lemon).

*************

Happy early Monday morning! I drove DD to her swim practice car pool at 5 am and thought about dropping back in bed, but the hardest part of the day is the actual GETTING UP, so I figured why would I want to do that again? So I cleaned up a bit in the kitchen, watched a recorded "Jeopardy" and caught up here!

I can't wait to celebrate with my team at our robotics meeting today! I bought a small decorated cake to bring to our meeting. We will spend a few minutes celebrating and such, but then it will be on to assessing our performance this past Saturday and taking notes about what we need to work on before we head to States in three weeks.

Off to wake up DS so he can hit the shower and have a good breakfast before school. I'll pop on later this morning after I get my driving done and my workout finished!.....................P

 

[mikamah]

Good Monday morning

First day back after a long weekend is always tough but this one is harder since we have this week and then next week is only 2 1/1 days because of Thanksgiving.

Question of the Day

What is your favorite part of Thanksgiving? It could be a special food, a special event.

Have a great day, Dona.
My favorite food is pumpkin pie, and I have been known to make 2, one to keep at home and one to bring whereever we're having thanksgiving, but since ds doesn't eat pumpkin pie, I eat the whole thing over the week. Last year was the first year ds and I did a 5k turkey trot in the morning, and I am looking forward to that again, and I hope he will keep it up as a tradition. Until the dang high school football games get in the way.

Shawn-Sounds like a much deserved, quiet weekend alone. Sometimes you just need to take a break and relax. I'm pretty pathetic on geography too, and only know because I live here, but NYC is not part of new england, but close by. Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine all border canada, too. Now any questions about the pacific northwest, Lisa can handle. NYC would be fun to do a big dis meet. Funny thing, last week, ds was telling me about Armistice day/Veterans day and the history, and on wed, at work someone was talking about it, and I was able to share the history of it, by pure and total luck of my conversation with ds the day before. I so did not retain any social studies.

LTS- I like 4Holidays idea of a charm bracelet, and have you seen the pandora or chamilia bracelets? They are pretty nice, and the chamilia have disney charms too. The jewelry/memory box is a nice idea too. I still have a couple that I got as bridesmaids gifts. I've seen memory boxes where the top is a picture collage.

Thanks Sue, for the weigh reminder. I'll do that right now.

Have a fabulous monday everyone!!

 

[bellebookworm9]

Question of the Day

Is there any special thing that you personally do to celebrate the holidays? Not with the family.

Last year I really needed some Christmas cheer, so I went to WalMart and bought a small fiber optic tree and some small silver ball ornaments, a string of tinsel, and a string of lights and put it up in my room, despite it being a fire hazard. That tree is now in the townhouse living room, but this year i added a silver star and some purple ornaments. The tinsel and lights are in my bedroom.

When I was younger, circa 1996-97, Target produced two ice skating specials called "Snowden on Ice" and "Snowden on Ice: Raggedy Ann and Andy's Holiday Show". We recorded them on video and watched them every year. Several years ago Mom bought them on ebay so now we have good quality copies. I still watch them even if no one else does. Tried to get some friends to watch it with me last year, but they didn't quite get the magic of it...sort of like Disney, I suppose.

Question of the Day

What is your favorite part of Thanksgiving? It could be a special food, a special event.

I suppose my favorite part is playing board games with my family and/or friends. We normally play things like Scattergories and Apples2Apples and that's always fun.

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

QOTD..Thanksgiving-The food. That was easy.

I am happy we are the ones to have everyone at our house for each holiday. Iam also happy to see my parents so excited to spend their first holiday season in Fla with all of us. I prefer to plan the meals, know what's being served, and know that there is enough for all.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Quickly popping in. I am subbing this afternoon for the first time this school year so don't have much time. I didn't really think about it but this is going to really mess with my eating schedule since I usually don't eat lunch until between 1-2. I probably won't have a break but I will take some yogurt and nuts and hope I can get a chance to eat them. I have to be careful about the nuts though.

Thanks for the suggestions for DD's birthday. I think I will go and get a bunch of decorations and we can put them up after she goes to bed on Friday. Haven't decided what I will do for her cake yet. The weekend is so crazy that I am not even sure we will have time to eat it. We will celebrate with grandparents over thanksgiving so that is usually the best time for cake.

She actually already has a car! Grandpa was getting rid of his so he gave it to her. She won't be able to get her license until probably close to the end of summer. She is actually terrified to drive so we are probably going to have to force her to learn.

Not sure on the gift yet. Going to have to just go shopping and see if anything jumps out at me.

Gotta run!

 

[jillbur]

Question of the Day

What is your favorite part of Thanksgiving? It could be a special food, a special event.

No doubt about it...the food! And the excitement of Black Friday!

Our holidays change every year. Sometimes we go to DHs grandmother's, other times we go to my sister's. This year we are doing neither! We (me, DH, DS8, and DS5 and my sister, bro-in-law, and nephew13) are running in the Gobble Wobble 5k at our park. My sister and I plan to go shopping Thanksgiving night into Black Friday. So we couldn't figure out how to run, make a turkey, nap, and get our shop on. We decided to do Thanksgiving on the Saturday after. We will all be relaxed and just eat. No rushing or anything. I will miss turkey on Thanksgiving day, but I am going to make a roast instead. I am also thinking my family can go to the movies or something fun to congratulate my boys for running.

Well, it's a typical gloomy, rainy, day in western PA. I am going through WDW withdrawls and so are my kids (and although he may not admit it, I think DH is too). They keep asking when we are going back. I'd love to go for a long weekend (and just do MK and Epcot-our faves) but airfare is too high to justify it. I found $109 one way. Well, multiply that by 2 and then for 4 people, plus add fees? No way! The four of us flew down in January 30 and flew back on Feb 5 for $69 one way. It's just crazy how much prices have gone up!

On a side note: I read a facebook post that made me cringe last night. Someone I went to school with decided to take his kids to Florida next week (he decided this a few weeks ago). He is divorced and the kids live with the ex so this is a nice vacation for them. Well, last night he decided he's going to Disney! What? He must not know how busy it will be!! I really hope he looked into this. And for the kids' sake (3 kids range from 6-11), I hope he planned a little...or I don't think they will get much done (from what I hear). Oh well, as the teenagers I teach say, "Maybe that's how he rolls." I know there are people who love to go over Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's just not for me.

Well, lunch break is over and I still have to try to get in touch with a parent who does not want to return my calls. Have a great day!

Jill

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Question of the Day

What is your favorite part of Thanksgiving? It could be a special food, a special event.

Watching the Thanksgiving day parade.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Question of the Day

What is your favorite part of Thanksgiving? It could be a special food, a special event.

Are you ready for some football?! I am! I love to laze around in the afternoon/evening, pick at the yummies, and watch football. I can even take a nap if my Beloved Patriots aren't playing. I love guilt-free, nothing else to worry about, staying home the next day, football time!

Maria

 

[lovetoscrap]

I survived my first day back subbing! Half day was a good start. I may try to focus on just doing the half days so I don't get so tired. For a lazy gal I have a terrible time being still in the classroom. I can't just "sit" while the kids are working. I have to be up walking around and that is hard on my feet. I always remember how much I enjoy being in the classroom when I sub, but am also reminded that I really don't think I could ever go back to full time.

I also figured out what to do about lunch thanks to another post on the board. I made a Protein shake and took that in an insulated bottle. Drinkable lunch that was no problem to have during class time.

And got home to an update on the party planning-- no place to have it, both girls parents said no. So now, it is at my house. Which is perfectly fine with me. I told her I am going to go ahead and decorate all over on Friday night after she goes to bed so they don't have to worry about that-- those will still be up. Guess I have to clean my house now.

 

[cclovesdis]

I apologize for the delay.

Healthy Habits Week 8 Results

Congratulations to our participants! Our participants were:

4HOLIDAYS
aamomma
akhaloha
AUdisneyDad
AUdisneyDad's DW
ClassicPooh2
glass1/2fll


And, EVERYONE earned 7/7 for at least one of the 4 Habits!

Congratulations to AUdisneyDad and AUdisneyDad's DW who earned all 30 points!

Congratulations to this week prize winner: AUdisneyDad! Please PM me your address and I will mail out your prize as soon as possible.

 

[lisah0711]

Good evening all!

Busy Monday so just now catching up on my DIS time.

Pamela, congratulations to your robotics team! What a great way for them to finish their middle school years! And I'm so glad that you enjoyed meeting Kathy and Michael yesterday -- it's hard to find a nice couple of folks for sure!

My vote for a BL meet is marathon week-end 2013. We can run some races or just scream team it. There are couple of our folks who are planning to run their first marathon that week-end -- not me, but I'm hoping to do my first Donald!

Shawn, I would probably feel a bit differently about DS if he was in high school and not middle school. I keep waiting for this parenting thing to get easier but it never seems to. Glad that you had a relaxing week-end.

Question of the Day

What is your favorite part of Thanksgiving? It could be a special food, a special event.

The leftovers!

LTS, I know your DD isn't into jewelry but a little pair of diamond earrings would be something that she would be glad to have later in life. I was also thinking maybe a fabulous Christmas ornament -- she could say my folks started my collection when I was 16. Let us know what you decide because inquiring minds like to know this stuff for future reference. Glad the party gets to be at your house.

Jill, bummer about your friend's spur of the moment plan . . . it could be interesting.

Watching the Thanksgiving day parade.

I love the parade, too.

Are you ready for some football?! I am! I love to laze around in the afternoon/evening, pick at the yummies, and watch football. I can even take a nap if my Beloved Patriots aren't playing. I love guilt-free, nothing else to worry about, staying home the next day, football time!

Naps are good too!

Up a bit after my long run on Saturday. I expect it so it's not too much of a shock. Working hard to get that number back down by the end of the week to stay on track for my goal at the end of the month. Approaching my Princess number then it's new territory, baby, might even bring my weight loss clippie back.

 

[lisah0711]

Congratulations to our participants! Our participants were:

4HOLIDAYS
aamomma
akhaloha
AUdisneyDad
AUdisneyDad's DW
ClassicPooh2
glass1/2fll

Congratulations to all our HH participants and winners!

 

[cclovesdis]

My weekend was pretty busy. I was in various places and had limited access to the Internet. We spent a lot of time cleaning up debris from Alfred. He is my best friend.

I went grocery shopping yesterday and it was as if people hadn't grocery shopped in weeks. I couldn't remember the last time I saw a family with 2 carts that didn't need them to push all their children. Then, it occurred to me. People haven't went grocery shopping in weeks. Good ol' Alfred.

We are slowly replacing the necessities in our refridgerator and freezer. And, Trick or Treating was cancelled and rescheduled, but on the 2nd date, tree limbs were still falling so my town highly discouraged ToT and only the kids next door came. That means we have bags of candy at home. Need to remember I'm lactose intolerant. I've been forgetting lately. I guess it's because I'm so focused on my wheat and oats allergies. I had to give someone a slice of bread with hazelnuts in it. I was so anxious about it. I haven't filled my prescription for an Epi-Pen yet, but after that experience, I think it's time.

The one thing I learned while spending time at my grandparents' is that cross-contamination, for wheat at least, is a concern. I lost track of the number of times I had to use the bathroom unexpectedly.

Anyway, enough about me. I definitely have some catching up to do.

THEY ACCEPTED ME FOR THE COLLEGE PROGRAM!!!!

Main Entrance Operations!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Question of the Day

It is Saturday When do you do your grocery shopping? Do you plan your meals including breakfast and lunch?

I just occurred to me that planning breakfast and lunch would be a huge help. I can't say that I've tried it yet, but I will be. Tomorrow is supposed to be another busy day so definitely a good day to start.

LTS: I want to say thank you for celebrating your DD's Sweet 16. My mother (you know her) declared that I didn't have any friends and therefore couldn't have one. She didn't even consider doing something as a family. I hope that your daughter grows up to be as strong of a woman as you are.

As for a present, I don't have too many ideas. I will say that my sister and BIL love their stocking stuffers. What about a gift basket full of small items? Some ideas: lip gloss, nail polish, a teenage magazine (like one step above what you let her read now), PJ pants. It's not the greatest idea, but sometimes it's the little things.

Another option is the gift card. I don't know how much you want to spend, but I'm sure you'll understand the concent. $5 to Starbucks/DD's, $10 for iTunes, $20 to Gap, etc. You could put them order from least to greatest in a tower of boxes. You are much more crafty then I am, so I'm sure you could make something like this a beautiful present.

How about Western MA instead of NY? NYC would be about a 6 hour drive for Deb, 5 hours for me, and probably 4 hours for Kathy and Maria.

What about the Yankee Candle Flagship Store in South Deerfield, MA? There is a restaurant there as well. The lunch prices are reasonable for its atmosphere. Just an idea...

 

[SettinSail]

Happy Monday everyone! After I signed off here late last night, I had a couple of bad things happen.....1) I signed on to an old email account that I really need to shut down but I'm not sure how to and found an email several days old from my friend in NJ that we are going to visit next week. Turns out her DH has to travel for work next week and the family has decided to go with him so they can be together. It was a bit of a cryptic message and I have no idea why she sent it to that old account that has not been used by me in a few years. On the other hand, I'm glad that she didn't just hang around to see us if they really wanted to go somewhere else..... Luckily we already have a hotel booked. They invited us to stay with them and that was the plan at first. I'm kind of bummed as we planned to atleast eat Thanksgiving dinner with them and I just felt a little comforted to know I knew someone nearby. AND 2) I was walking down the hallway towards my bedroom about 1am and heard running water in the wall I decided maybe it was coming from the hot water heater in the attic and it was It was leaking and about to overflow the catch basin. I finally roused DH and he went up there and turned it off and turned the gas off. So we had no hot water for showers this morning. Luckily we all showered last night. Landlord says he will have a new hot water heater installed tomorrow (crossing fingers on that). DH will shower at the Y after his work tonight, DS took a cold shower and I'm going to be European and take a day off from showering! I didn't make it to the Y today so it's not like I got super dirty.

Question of the Day

What is your favorite part of Thanksgiving? It could be a special food, a special event.

I have to say ALL OF THE ABOVE

I love the food, the parade, the football, the lazing around, the BF shopping, the pausing to reflect on blessings and sharing them out loud with family.

We are going to be away from home for our 4th Thanksgiving in a row and I'm regretting the decision to go to NYC just a little bit now. In addition to my friends not being there, a cousin and his family that I rarely see are coming from Austin this year and I will miss them. I don't think I've seen their son since he was 2 and he's 9 now!

Today was a much better day than the last few have been. I'm always so much more productive when I have a lot to do. So, lots accomplished at work, lunch out with friends, 3 loads of laundry completed and thinking of maybe doing a 4th, 30 mins of stitching, 30 minutes spent reading, kitchen thoroughly cleaned, fridge cleaned out, trash and recycle taken out, recycle bucket cleaned. Whew! I feel like Pamela But the best part about today was I won a contest on the radio I won a $100 gift card to the Mall and a Rockette ornament worth $10 I am one of 30 people entered into a drawing to win a $1000 gift card to the Mall, a $1000 gift card to Diamonds Direct (a jewelry store-maybe a nationwide chain?), 4 front row tickets to the Rockettes show (they have a travelling show in our town), front row VIP parking at the Mall on BF (too bad I'm out of town), and lunch and dinner at a restaurant at the Mall. They will announce the winner next Monday morning at 7:00am--I hope it's me

I should really play the lotto after winning the football pool at work last week and now this prize. It has really put a spring in my step.

OK, off to do one final load of laundry, maybe some more reading and I promised DS we would watch How I Met Your Mother after he finishes studying for his geometry test tomorrow.