Teachlady

Oh Heather, I so sorry!! Prayers to you and your family. I'm sure it was a shock to you even if he had been ill for some time. You never, ever are prepared for your parents to die. Did you get the $3,003 straightened out? That's outrageous!!! I sure hope it was an "honest" mistake by the waitress. Hope your son is ok also. Take care of YOU during all this.

214 days till Haydee and Juan's wedding!!

Good morning, Violets.. Off to the hospital for my shift. No work for Joe, so no Ethan today. I have some yardwork to do this afternoon and then a church meeting. I used to watch Fame on tv. Loved that show. Janie.. Russian soup in this town is found only at the Chinese restaurant. It's a veggie soup with a slightly sweet broth.. absolutely yummy. Why it's called Russian, I don't know, but it's very popular. A combination of the stress, restriction and a..ahem... release from constipation and I'm down 2# since yesterday. My cruising friend who had the band says she loses about a pound a week. She's lost 85# now and if she can do it at 66, then I can certainly do it at 62. That would be age.. not anything else you're thinkin;!! Hope everyone has a great day. Haydee, Suzyt, Heather, PamELa, Laura, Michelle... thinking about you all...(((hugs)))

Good evening, Violets.. Finally, FINALLY all the concerts are done. Things went very well tonight. Some really good moments, some uh oh moments, but a really good concert overall. Attendance was really down from years past. I have had a very good eating day today. Course I think all the stress at church is making my restriction very noticeable. I guess the stress is good for something. I had a little serving of mandarin oranges for breakfast, a bowl of Russian soup for lunch and some beef stew right now that isn't going down well. No snacking in between meals. Day one done.. on to day two! Janie... little goals.. lots of support. SMILE, sista!!!! We LOVE you!!! Anybody heard from Heather???? She posted on Facebook that she was very sad today. I hope she's ok. Off to get my nammies on and get ready to watch Desperate Housewives... yes I DO have a tv and yes, I watch stuff like that!!! And I'm PROUD of it!! Everyone have a good evening. Sleep well!

ummmmm, was it something I said??

215 days till Haydee and Juan's wedding!!

Good morning, Violets.. Went to bed really early last night to read. I am almost done with Have A Little Faith. I am loving the book. Now I'm up and showered and ready to get dressed for church. Nap this afternoon and then a big concert tonight. Then I can finally relax from musical things.. well, at least until Thursday when our flute quartet plays background music for a reception. But that's easy, peasy. Everyone have a great day. We were supposed to get snow last night, but it didn't happen, thank goodness. We don't even have all the leaves on the ground yet!

Good evening, Violets.. Support group was awesome today. We had 12 there including 1 looking into lap band and 1 looking into the sleeve. Two of the people who showed up today have not been there since the first couple of meetings we had. It's a mom and son and they were struggling with the band and getting discouraged. They stopped coming and I was afraid they were sitting at home putting the weight on, but lo and behold there they were looking fantastic!!! The mom has lost 76# and the son has lost 53#. The mom had been losing steadily, but the son was on some kind of meds that prevented him from losing weight. He got the meds changed a few months ago and has lost 40# in three months!!!!! I was so pleased. Bob and I are on a challenge. We are going to weigh in tomorrow and then set a goal for 1 month. If we make that goal, we will set another. If we don't make the goal we will go down and see the doctor. I know I don't need another fill, but I think the Bobster does. I still have good restriction, but he doesn't. Course he's been drinking carbonated beverages and I think that's doing him in. He has his mindset where it should be now, so maybe he'll continue on the "loser" streak. We're also going to do the 5 day pouch test again to jump start the challenge. Off to do a little kitchen clean up and then get some soup ready for supper. We had lunch late today so we're not really hungry, but I have to get my last meal in early so I don't have to worry about acid reflux when I go to bed. Everyone have a great evening. Sleep well!!

216 days till Haydee and Juan's wedding!!

217 days till Haydee and Juan's wedding!!

Good evening, Violets.. Back from eating Chinese. We had the buffet. When will we ever learn?? I had to head to the bathroom 4 times to pb. The last time I told Bob I felt foolish walking past the same people 4 times. He said "they just think you're going back for more food". :thumbup::tt2: Anyway, we came home and I had some pudding. That's it for the night as far as food. Bob played 18 holes of golf today so he got his exercise in. He walked the first 9 and took a cart for the last 9. After that he hauled some pretty big plants for me to transplant. Tomorrow is our support group meeting, then he's golfing and I'm relaxing and doing some more yardwork. Everyone have a great weekend!! Will check in when I can.

Good afternoon, Violets. Just got an email from Haydee saying she couldn't get into the site. I don't seem to have any problems with it. The luncheon was nice. We didn't talk about church, BUT I had to sit next to the pastor's whimpy wife. We are soooooooooooo totally different. I talk about Project Runway, Rock of Love, I Love New York and she says in her little teeny voice... "we don't have a tv.".. WHAT???? I wear jewelry, make up and fix my hair nice. She wears bead necklaces she makes, no make up and her hair is ... well..... a mess. Do I sound bitter?? It was interesting to watch the ladies sitting across from me roll their eyes when she said she didn't have a tv. Anyway.. when I got home the Bobster and I went out to the backyard and transplanted a lot of things and I cleaned out more of the flower beds. Just have the side yard to do yet. Hopefully I'll get it all done before the snow falls. The Bobster and I are going out for Chinese cuisine tonight. Hope everyone has a good evening. I'd say TGIF, but every day is a TGIF for this old retired lady.

Hey.. was that Heather??? I blinked my eyes and missed her!

Good morning, Violets.. It's a lazy, Fall day here today. I didn't get up until 9. No work for Joe today so no Ethan. Gramma needed a break anyway. I love the boy, but 5 days straight is a bit much. I'm getting dressed and "made up" for the luncheon. Should be interesting. I'm sitting with my friend who had the lap band surgery. We're splitting a meal. She's lost over 80# in one year. I'm soooooooooo jealous. But when we go out to eat, I am amazed because she eats more than me and she drinks with her meal. Doesn't make sense to me that I follow the rules and am stuck where I am for almost a year and she keeps losing. AND she doesn't exercise much. AND she's older than me!!! Kris got me a couple of Lia Sophia things at the last party she attended. I have a really pretty bracelet and necklace now. What a nice daughter she is. Did I tell you that the Zumba class has been cancelled???? Kris and I were so disappointed. I even wrote a message to the place on Facebook telling them I was so looking forward to it. Just to be able to do something fun with Kris would have been worth it. There are no other classes that work in her schedule or mine. This one was to be on Saturdays. Off to finish getting ready. Everyone have a great Friday.

Good evening, Violets.. Janie.. set yourself little goals. Make your first one to get back under 300. That will do a lot for your mental attitude. Too big of a goal is just overwhelming. You CAN do this!! We're all here to support you. Beef stew for supper was very yummy on a chilly fall evening. Rehearsal was fun. We are playing for the Peace Concert and we are also background music for a reception at the college on the 15th. My cough is almost all gone and my nose is not stuffy anymore, thank goodness. Tomorrow is a church ladies luncheon. I've never been and they have been meeting for several months now. I was told they don't talk about church stuff, so we'll see. Grady was a sweetheart today. He's so darn cute at this stage. He loves to sit and play with the toys and smile, smile, smile. Ethan is pretty good with Grady, but I can tell there is some jealousy there. Well, off to bed to read for a bit. I really want to finish this book so I can start the new Mitch Albom one. Everyone sleep well!! (((hugs)))Janie!!!!

Heather... sounds like you have all your ducks in a row on this one. And I too am glad you are moving. She really sounds desperate. Jane.. what's happening at work???? Zumba class starts the 17th and I'm excited! Kris is going to go with me. She asked the lady if she thought Kris and I would die and she assured us we could work at our own pace. Haydee and Laura... you ladies ok???

218 days till Haydee and Juan's wedding!!

Good morning Violets!! I'm up waiting for Ethan.. I just fixed beef stew to cook in the crockpot all day. Smells yummy in here. Cute picture, Michelle!! My cough is almost gone and my nose is not so stuffy today, so I'm feeling pretty good. Also felt good about the meeting last night and knowing my time as choir director is coming to an end. I have flute rehearsal tonight. That always calms me down. Our flute group is playing for the Peace Concert on Sunday, plus my singing group is doing two numbers and I'm doing a solo. Once again, the Judy show!! I'm just glad this cold didn't affect my voice at all. Grady comes today for an hour while Kris works out. I'm always glad to see the little guy now. He's so much happier with his sleep schedule set now. And his mommy is so much happier too! Off to get some breakfast. Everyone have a great day!!

Good evening, Violets. PamELa.. you don't know what a pressure cooker is????? Please tell me I'm not THAT old!!! The new pressure cookers can cook just about anything and do it in very little time. It cooks under pressure.. hello!! I've done ribs and soup and pork roasts, chicken and beef. Most things take less than an hour to prepare from start to finish. And everything is incredibly moist. I got my pressure cooker from QVC and it's a slow cooker, browner and pressure cooker all in one. I also got the cookbook on QVC. Well, our church budget meeting is over and finally, FINALLY somebody named the elephant in the room. The secretary finally said that there was no leadership and that attendance is down by 50%, yet we are expecting those 70 people to finance the budget. The pastor just sat there stunned. I said "my salary is piddly and 10% of that won't balance the budget. I am in a difficult position as the wife of the former pastor, but the church is dying in spirit and it breaks my heart." There were nodding heads all around. If he doesn't know he's in trouble after this meeting, he's ignorant and will never know. I also told them I am not going to direct the choir forever especially when I can't worship with my husband in the same church. So the seed has been planted for my leaving. Bob and I shared Nachos Grande for supper. He's lost 8# this month by......... gasp!!! following the bandster rules!!! I'm proud of him!! Now I need to keep up with him. Off to watch the end of Glee... I need me some of those pills.. LOLOL Everyone have a good evening!! Sleep well..

Michelle... why do I think of Mr. Ed when I see that horse picture? DD looks like she's in heaven..

Laura.. where are you?? Hope you're feeling better!! Forgot to mention, Kris says they are starting a Zumba class at the health club. I sure hope it's at a time when I can go with her. I'd love to try it. Michelle.. you did that for awhile, didn't you??? Did it kill you? That's my biggest fear... that I'll keel over from the activity!!:wink2:

Ahhhhhhhhh the soup was delish, as usual. Haydee, you don't have a pressure cooker??? They are really handy for quick meals. The soup was done from start to finish in 10 minutes tops. Heather... Bob doesn't have a church now. He is retired from the Alpena church and from the little one he served in Atlanta. His goal at Atlanta was to build it up so that it could afford a part time pastor. It went from 35 on a Sunday to 80-90. I really have to brag on him. He is one heck of a pastor. He's so down to earth and kind and caring. He's the Bobster!!! Kris was 2 and a half when we came to Alpena so this is the only church she knows and she wants Grady baptized there. After that, they are looking for another church. It will be interesting to see if Tom calls Bob to let him know what he's doing in the baptism. If it's what Kris says, it will be minimal and then I will be really pissed and Bob will be so disappointed. But Tom calls the shots as he is the pastor there. It all just sucks. Ok... no more talk about the church. This board is for encouragement and not for all my drama!! Joe is coming to pick up Ethan in a little bit so I have a breather before I go to my meeting. We're going out to dinner after choir with our friends and I hope we don't talk church! I'd much rather talk CRUISE!! 3 more months and we will be in the Southern Mexican Riviera.. wooo hooooo!! JANE.. we're dying to know what's happening at work!!!

Cream of Chicken Gnocchi Soup 3 T butter or margarine 1 pound chicken tenders, cubed 2 T flour 2 stalks celery, diced small 4 tsp. chicken base mixed into 4 cups water 16 oz. dry gnocchi dumplings 1 sprig fresh thyme or 1 tsp. dried 1 bay leaf 1 tsp. onion powder 1 T parsley flakes 3/4 cup heavy cream (can use half and half) salt and pepper to taste 1. Heat the butter in pressure cooker on high or "brown" until melted. 2. Coat chicken thigh cubes with flour on all sides before adding them and the celery to the cooker, sauteing for 2-3 minutes until chicken is lightly browned. 3. Cover with remaining ingredients, except for heavy cream. 4. Securely lock on the pressure cooker's lid, set the cooker to high and cook for 6 minutes. 5. Perform a quick release to release the cooker's pressure. Safely remove lid and slowly stir in the heavy cream. Salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately. For firmer, more pasta-like gnocchi, add them with the heavy cream after the pressure cooking process. Switch the cooker to high or "brown" with lid off and boil for 3-4 minuts until gnocchi begin to float. (I use fresh gnocchi and put it in last.)

Haydee... I'll post the recipe on the recipe thread. It's a little long. It's done in the pressure cooker and is rich. It's just like the chicken gnocchi soup they serve at Olive Garden. Janie... hope everything goes well at work today! I'm trying to figure out what WOW means! Just talked to my friend Betsy, the organist and she said the minister will be at the budget meeting tonight and he has some things to say about the 10% cut in salary. I can guarantee it will be about his salary and not the staff's. I'm just so tired of all the drama.

Good morning, Violets.. I didn't get up until 10 this morning. Still feel congested and coughy, but it has to break soon. This has been 4 days with this. Bob is going to go out and get me some stuff to make cream of chicken gnocchi soup for lunch. It's that kind of a day. Haydee... sorry I gave you my crud. I should have washed my hands before typing! Michelle....so happy for your DS and his team!! Woo hoo... I can hear you screaming way over this way!! PamELa.. I'm just finishing up reading Icy Sparks and then on to Mitch Albom's newest book. I think I've read more in the last few months than I have in ages. Will have to check into the book you're reading too. As for the baptism. Kris and Nathan had the Godparents all picked out.. their best friends for years and years, but the husband walked out on his wife for another young chickie so they switched and asked their photographer friend and his wife to be the godparents. Strangely enough, they are the parents of the crappy husband, Brandon. Brandon still comes over to see Nathan and Amanda, his wife comes over to visit Kris, but of course, not at the same time. They have a beautiful daughter, a beautiful new home and Brandon is a PA like Nathan, but he said he wasn't happy or in love anymore so poof. MEN!! As far as the minister is concerned, I just don't know anymore. He has fans in the church, particularly with people who have had deaths in the family or have been hospitalized. He is very good at that. He is not good at leading a church. This is the church that Bob built up over 20 years and now it's just a shadow of what it was. When Bob went to his little church after retiring from this one, he built that up too and it's still going strong with a new pastor who knows what she's doing. So it's not the church or the economy or whatever else they blame it on. It's the leadership and the vision. I've been the choir director for 25 years now and this is definitely my last year. I really feel like quitting as of today, but I can't do that to my best friend, the organist. Soooo I'll bite my tongue and continue knowing this has to come to an end soon. Ok.. that's my rant for today. It's sad that the church is on my mind every single day and the thoughts are not good. Off to get dressed and get the soup going. Everyone have a good day. Be good to yourselves.