Welcome to the YaYa's: YYotC at Castaway Cay

[helenabear]

Quick hi... have a busy afternoon here at least and I need to hop in the shower so I have time to straighten my hair before I leave.

I may have to go out and shop today though I have officially had it with my internet connection lately.

Nancy, I had a little anxiety attack (not really but...) there for a sec... I thought "am I leaving tomorrow??????" Then I realized that we have about three Ya Yas leaving to go there or make their way that direction tomorrow
I still have one more day (good and bad to that!)

I'm skipping a lot lately, but I'm sure y'all know I just am lacking time!

Yay for your lost weight Karen! I know for me once I started, the rest was literally downhill for me. So if no will power me can lose just about 65 pounds in just about a year, I'm sure you can do it too!

Lily, I hope you don't get much more snow... we got our bit and I think we're done. Though we had windchills below zero yesterday.

Liz, my heart does go out to you. And I admit I cannot blame your dad for any of his decisions. There was one point when I told my mom that if she wanted off the chemo, I'd understand. I just wanted her comfortable and happy. There aren't always easy answers for anything like that. Hang in there

Well I need to run... hope you all enjoy the day! Mad love to you all

 

[Poohnatic]

Morning, all.

It was a yummy dinner yesterday, Lights are hung (but we need one more string), and it was great hanging out with Jill for the evening.

I perused a bunch of websites for the black Friday specials. Had I really looked before 11pm, I could have called my sister to tell her that WalMart had a laptop for 378. I was half tempted to go out and grab it and then return it if she didn't need it, since they start their sales at midnight.

Most of my siblings called me, and I made my youngest sister sad when I told her what dinner consisted of. I made quite a few of Mom's staples and when I said "broccoli bake", she started choking up. Yes, it's hitting us now.

Sears has a cordless phone/answering system on sale for 40 bucks off, but it's not showing up on the website. I'm probably going to head to work a little early to grab it.

Woohoo to Karen for losing that weight. I need to get on my walking program, I'll be joining you soon.

Lainey, safe travels on your way here.

Liz,

Nancy, we ate so much we didn't even eat dessert!

Hi to everyone I missed!

I gotta get in the kitchen in a few to make the baked ziti I promised my team. I don't want them going out into the food court! They'll waste the whole break standing in line.

Suzanne

 

[Pam]

Liz and Suzanne.

My SIL, who has gone through breast cancer, has found a lump on her lower torso. She has to go for an MRI on Tuesday. We're all pretty shaken.

I just slipped on some ice toaking the dog out to go potty and twisted my back. And of course I don't have my invoices done.

We have lots and lots of snow here -- it was 14 degrees last night, with a windchill of -10! Sunday it's supposed to go up to 50 degrees, and up to 60 on Monday. My hunters are very sad with that weather forecast!

Safe travels to all of the Ya Yas heading down to the World!

 

[Meriweather]

Liz.....best wishes to your father and the family. I hope everything works out for the best...whatever that is.

Dessert always fits!! I make sure of that Priorities! And I think pumpkin pie is on the slate for breakfast

I'm mailing my exchange package today Should arrive Monday or Tuesday.

The DIS is slooooooww today. Am I the only one?

Warmed up here (all the way to 40) but is now pouring rain.
I need to run out and go to the bank, post office and grocery shopping.
No BF shopping for me. I would pay any price or anything NOT to go out today.

Christin called on her way home last night (she was too tired to come by...had to get up this morning at 3:30), and ordered "creamy" mashed potatoes for Christmas. They had chunky with skins last night Her dinner consisted on a roll and chocolate cake....that's my picky eater

Have a good day everyone.

 

[Poohnatic]

Nancy,


Thinking of slicing into that chocolate cream pie and having breakfast!

My exchangee is going to be down here this week, so I'm thinking of bringing the presents over to the world! I just need to find the 'bonus' gift .

Suzanne

 

[Meriweather]

If I was going to see my exchange person, I would deliver in person too
Lucky you.

The bonus gift.....ohhh....good one to bring home

 

[lvs_eeyore]

Elaine I have just about that much more to lose.....65 pounds. I really think I can do it this time. My mindset is just much different this time than it has been in times past. Im really not dieting which makes a big difference. Im just changing the way I do things. I am not denying myself anything and I havent set up anything I cant have. I just dont feel like eating as much of it as I once did. I really need to get into exercising. With the arthritis and FM it will be difficult but I have GOT to do it or Im gonna be all flab when the weight comes off. I have to tone that up. Its going to be a long road and I know that but I will do it this time. Dh also set up a challenge for me....I get a few days at the Poly Concierge if I get to my goal weight of 113 pounds. Its gonna take me awhile so we have time to save for it. What a nice treat that will be. I dont feel threatened by his challenge because he is also overweight so he is not coming down on me or anything. He is just trying to make it more interesting for me, give me something to strive for along with the loss of weight, and give me a special treat for losing the weight. I think also the change has to do with it being for ME this time. I want to look better. Im tired of being self concious and Im doing things now so that I no longer have to feel that way.....my weight, my teeth, etc.... Yeah how my youngest feels does play into it also but Im mainly doing it for me. I want to feel good about ME. Its so funny I put on a pr of jeans I bought not too long ago and I can hold them out two inches from where my belly is! They are SO big on me now. What a good feeling that was and what a morale booster.

 

[lvs_eeyore]

Awwwww Suzanne my heart goes out to you. This must be so hard for you right now. Im here if you need someone to talk to kiddo. I bet though it was comforting to you to have some of Moms staples that she had during the holiday. I know I always feel a sense of comfort when I make my moms spagetti sauce. Wanna be walking buddies?? I need to exercise too and maybe with us both doing it and keeping tabs on each other it might be easier and more fun for both of us!

Oh man Pam I am so sorry you hurt your back. I will be saying prayers that it heals quickly. I am also saying prayers for your SIL. Same goes for you as Liz, if you would like me to add her to our prayer group at church I would be glad to, just PM me her name.

Nancy be careful going out today. Those people are crazy out there LOL!!! I decided I was NOT going to go BF shopping. I would rather pay a little more for what I want to get than deal with that insanity. Thats why we are staying home and cleaning today and putting up the tree. I just dont want to deal with crowds and traffic.

Suzanne how neat that you are getting to see your exchange person. That is very kewl.

 

[Meriweather]

I didn't go do anything to do with BF...no way!!
Just post office and those little things in our little town. No where near any "real" shopping.
All done and home until Sunday
Taking down the TG decorations....changing the "kids" and probably sorting through Christmas presents.
Still need an idea for one more for Dave and something for Geoff They aren't helping much!

 

[lvs_eeyore]

Just taking a break from cleaning. We read the kids the riot act this morning about helping around the house. I am tired of doing it alone and they do nothing to help pick up after themselves. We told them that the 40.00 that they have saved in allowance and any allowance from here on out is null and void until we see some help going on around here. I cant work, deal with the finances, deal with the hurricane stuff, school, clean etc.... all alone anymore. Thankfully dh helps out some but not really with cleaning. We have threatened to take away their allowance before for this but not actually done it so some of it is our fault for not following through. Now we are getting serious with them. They are almost 12 and 7.5 and totally capable of helping out.

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

Hi everyone....

No BF shopping for me today either. I worked this morning 6:45am - 9:45am.
Home alone now - Alyssa and Ryan met up with friends - Chris at his friens house - hubby sitting in a tree (dont' worry that means he's hunting - hahhaha).

I just went to the grocery store and pharmacy - no one in those places. Bought my godson's Christmas gifts online from Barnes and Noble - no lines - free shipping - I love it !!

Yesterday was a good day here - had a big houseful - not many leftovers.

My heart goes out to those of you who have lost loved oness recently - this is the 7th holiday without my mom - may as well be the first - can't tell you how much I miss her. I will tell you that after losing her (she died of kidney failure after 7 years on dialysis) I felt like I had joined some "private club" that I really did not want to be a member of. So to all those in need I share your sadness.

To those with family members or friends battling health issues - hugs and prayery - you are always in my thoughts.


I'm very very tempted to take out some Christmas decorations - .....but I think I will wait till Dec 1st - until then I have my Christmas music. Extemded family is going to se Trans Siberina Orcestra again this year - My husband didn't want to go and Alyssa won't be home yet so I'm not going - maybe next year.

I hope everyone is having a fun day.....more later.......

p.s. - Monday is "official exchange shopping day".

 

[flrose]

All! Did a little shopping today, nothing major. Just Lowe's & K-Mart. Was thinking I would not have a tree again this year 'cause my apt is too small ( OK so I have too much furniture ) Anyway, saw the cutest little fiber optic tree at K-mart (course they didn't have any in a box) which gave me the bright idea (I have a few sometimes) that I could put a small tree on the end table in the corner . So, now I just have to find one with the proper fit.
Enough about me:
Liz-My thoughts and prayers are with ya girlfriend. Coming up on 8 yrs w/o my dad. I remember how bad he just wanted to make it thru that last Christmas and he did it!
Suzanne- Thinking of you too! The holidays are sometimes the hardest but, I like to think of my dad as my guardian angel now. He is always with me.
Can't wait to see ya soon.
Nancy- I agree MORE dessert!
Karen- WooHoo, you go on the weight loss thing. Sounds like a great mindset u got. That's what it takes! It's all about YOU!
Paula, Gotta love that on-line shopping.
Hey Lily- Inside sounds like the place to be when it's that out there. Keep it up your way, ok?
Pam- So sorry about your back- great story about how you hurt it tho' We all KNOW you were practicing some new dance moves for the Christmas parade. But, girlfriend ya gotta take it easy, those leg kicks do not have to be as high ya know?
JRKaren- Love your stories about the people you get to meet. So, looking forward to seeing RENT. Love the music.
Elaine- Wrestling? Don't think I want to know. My DS is into the WWE stuff and tries to tell me all about it. I just nod and pretend I get it See ya soon!
Hey Betty- A belated Happy Turkey day too ya!
Ok, guess I should get the rear in gear and pack a bag huh? Thing is once I pack I want to GO! don't know why I didn't schedule today too
Oh well, I'm off. Who is in charge of holding down the Fort here? And better yet, who has the bail fund and cheetohs?
Will try to stop back by.

 

[lvs_eeyore]

Busy day. Got a lot accomplished. Didnt get the tree up though. Oh well we have two more days to do that. Dh's company was so sweet and gave out gift cards to Publix as a Thanksgiving treat and as a thank you to the employee and the families of those hard working employees for their work during Wilma. I was going to get Tday dinner to make this weekend with it but they didnt have any fresh Turkeys. I didnt want to get a frozen one because by the time it thawed it would be mid week and I have no time to cook it then. Soooooo we got the makings for a dh's special shrimp scampi dinner!! He is out there cooking away as we speak. I havent eaten much at all today so I can splurge a little on dinner. We dont normally eat this high fat. I try to cook as low fat as possible. Tomorrow we go out for the big shop to replace a lot of the stuff we lost during the storm. We decided while we were at the grocery store that it would be better just to get dinner for tonight because the kids were too wired for sound. Just wasnt a good time to do it.

RM I hear ya on small living spaces with too much furniture. We have to move the ferret cage in order to make room for the tree. Luckily I found a really good spot for him which isnt easy when you have a six foot cage ROFL!!! Its tall and long but luckily not too wide so I was able to find a nice spot for him and he will still be in the living room where he loves to be. I have also done the small tree on a table thing myself a few years ago. The kids were just as happy with a small tree as a big tree.

 

[helenabear]

Hi all... tired...

really... got some things to do on my computer and since I am online, I might as well try to get it done

 

[Pam]

I can't believe it -- but I actually went to the mall for the first time ever during Black Friday!

We had to get DS's glasses fixed -- and we hit some of the tail end of the BF sales when we strolled into the mall shortly before noon! Then we went to Sam's Club.

 

[lvs_eeyore]

Pam Im glad you survived your BF jaunt today. You are a gutsy lady LOL!!!

Ugh I cannot believe how much my eating habits have changed in the last month. I had half a cup of rice and half a cup of shrimp and sauce over it, which really was a small portion and less than I normally would have eaten before. and three hours later I still feel like I ate an elephant!! I am SO uncomfortable and grossed out. I guess I cant do anything with a high fat content anymore.....which is very good.

Elaine did you get your computer things figured out and fixed?

 

[Poohnatic]

Evening, all.

I did venture out for BF specials on my break, lol. Got my cordless phones for a really good price. I'd been pricing them for a while and I knew which two brands I wanted-Sears had one of them on sale.

On the way back, hit the BDalton-they're closing in the mall, and all the books were 40% off! I picked up all the Katie McAllister's I didn't have already and another Marion Keyes. Kinda bummed that they didn't have any Nelson DeMille or Tom Clancy's that I didn't have. Psst, can you tell that getting an hour break is a bad idea? I usually get a half hour!

Karen, we switched over to using olive oil for the scampi instead of butter. Better for you

Rosemary, I think I have that same fiber optic tree. We had it on the coffee table last year, it'll be in the window in Kevin's room this year.

Off to bed-the kids will probably wake me up way too early again in the morning!

Oh, and Ed springs on me tonight that one of his oldest and dearest friend, wife and daughter are flying to Sarasota tomorrow and will be visiting us this week. Aaaaaak! gotta clean!!!

Suzanne

 

[lvs_eeyore]

Suzanne thanks for the tip about the scampi. I will try that next time. How much do you use? My system might handle the olive oil a lot better than the butter dh uses now. We dont have it often at all but sometimes we just like to have a treat.

Glad you were able to get some BF deals today!

 

[Poohnatic]

I usually use a stick of butter per pound of shrimp, so figure about 4oz of olive oil. I do it by eye, but if you want to be exact...

suzanne

 

[helenabear]

Morning all... quick hi... have laundry I wnat to do

Pam, you brave little thing there... I have done BF before and hated it!

I guess that means you are very brave in my eyes too Suzanne!

We didn't ever get out to buy what I want for my computer, but that's okay... hopefully Luis will go. It's just old hardware that needs to be replaced.

Bt now I will be an evil mama and remove my curled up cat from my lap so I can get things done!

I'll check in later!!!