Good morning, everyone!
I am feeling a bit bloated today because I ate too much split pea and ham soup last night.
I wasn't even going to eat it, but I got home from the gym hungry and I made the boys (my son and "adopted son", our international student) taste it and they said it was delicious, so I tasted it. Then I made myself leftover whole wheat pasta with spinach & mushrooms & pine nuts. But the soup was calling my name. So I had a bowl of it, too. I had the points, especially since I'd worked out at the gym and had low points all day. But I am still unhappy that I ate basically two dinners. Oh, well. Live and learn, right? I shouldn't have done it but I can't un-do it, so I just won't do it again. LOL!
Holly - so glad you found them and like them. I have the last of our box with me today and I am going to save it to eat before a meeting tonight. They have great staying power.
I think it might have been Taryn who asked -- yes, they are about the size of a chewy granola bar. I wish this flavor were part of the variety box they sell at Costco -- I like it best of all the flavors I've tried so far.
I really have to get back to planning and sticking to evening menus for me. Even if I'd like to have family dinners with Andrew and J., I have to stick to the meals that are right for me based on what I've already eaten in any given day. We can still eat together even if I'm eating something different.
On a happier note, things are going so well so far with J. He is such an amazing young man. He is very soft-spoken but he is tolerant of Howard's kidding and is so affectionate to me, giving me a hug each morning and to say "good night". He is very appreciative of anything we do. He is a really hard worker and constantly wants to help with anything that any of us are doing - cooking, cleaning, carrying, etc.. I helped him with a college application Saturday and was overwhelmed by the personal statement he wrote about why he wants an education and how he plans to return to Haiti to help re-build his home country. He has impeccable manners and Howard and Andrew and I have all reminded him he doesn't have to thank us every time he has a drink or food of any kind.
I do think we are wearing him down already. I have seen him on the floor talking to our dog, Cali and petting her, and Sunday when we came home from the store (we bought him a desk, chair and floor lamp so he can work in his own room), he was making toast. That makes me very happy -- if I've made you comfortable enough in my home that you will help yourself to food, I am a happy camper.
This has already been an edifying experience for us in so many ways. Talk about being very conscious of how much and how often we all eat! And I am hyper-aware now of the political situation in Haiti and the impact it may have on humanitarian efforts there. I know that there are needy people right here in our own country, but I think that if we can help one person on his way to helping his home country, we'll feel we've had a world vision, in addition to what we already do to serve the needy in our community and our country.
Sorry for the "novel". It is all so much on my mind right now. Thanks for letting me share.
SCHOOL IS CLOSED! Did 40 minutes on Just Dance 2, worked up a sweat. Hoping for at least that again w/ the girls later, going to work on Master's Class, just got info on course for this semester, doing some strength work, working on Pampered Chef, last day off for a while, going to make it count!
I am determined not to let that happen this time around!
We have never started before labor day either, and last year we went to wdw the week before labor day and it was awesome!! Free dining, value season, no crowds, maybe you should take some of this snow day and start planning a summer trip. 
I look forward to hearing everyone else's encouraging quotes or phrases.
