Apples2

OMG...sorry, Julie...forgot you Julie is being the best GM ever and helping DD with Mimi. Poor little thing is having some ear problems and, as always, Julie has been there to help OK...if I forgot someone in the recap...sorry

Melissa....Here's the scoop: Janet has a new house pet that she LOVES Cheri reached goal Phyll left on a cruise Great is on a weekend honeymoon Jewel has some huge life decisions to make regarding a nephew...worth reading her post....sad Arlene....is hanging in achey weather Linda is back at work and turning off lights all over the country and is swinging her hips to her new music Eva is back on track and just hanging out in her white shirts Laura is hanging with Nels and helping him recover from two broken bones in his hand. Darned Auntie, anyway NYSparkle aka Jodi...has become our friend and has given us bits and pieces of her life in NY and her heritage Deb is being Deb...and always has something to share I am in Atlanta (Covington) at my son's and leaving for FL in the morning That about sums it all up in a nutshell. Happy to hear you had a good trip. I would love to walk down (and make a few stops) Rodeo Drive. See you in a couple of weeks!

Hey Guys....Hit a milestone today...had my first facial ever. Well, actually I had a micro-dermabrasion and facial. One of DS's friends has a business and talked me into it. Felt so good. She said my skin is in good shape for 54. Who woulda guessed? I've been thinking that I have crap for skin. Our dry winters can be the cause of a lot of skin problems. Anyway, got pampered for the afternoon. Jewel...so good of you to consider taking in your nephew. Poor kid. But, may SIL is on the edge and does not know what to do. But to give him back to the state just kills me. Just the message that sends to him. I will be thinking of you and your situation. Linda...sorry to hear about your mom's dog. Such a tough decision. Just hanging with DH and DS. Bonding. Heading out at 6am for Fl. Looking forward to a month of relaxation. DS will be flying in quite a few times so it really won't be "goodbye" when we leave him tomorrow. I'll still cry...I cry every time I leave him. Sorry, Cheri, must have missed your post about getting to goal. A BIG congrats and welcome to the maintenance phase of your life. Talk to you all later. Have a wonderful weekend.

Laura...one of the things that drew me to some of your very first posts was the fact that you mentioned you were in the peace corp. The memories you have from that is something that no one can take away from you. Even though you were thrown into things you felt you were not prepared for, you did it and all those experiences make you who you are today. I know you enjoy being a wife and mother...can tell from your posts. Enjoy these next 10-12 yrs with Nelson....time goes way too fast when raising children. I did get to hold a baby yesterday for hours. One of Charlie's buddies and his wife were here for dinner and have a 4 mo old little guy. Got my fix. Morning to everyone else. Rainy in GA today. Cleaning an oven this morning. DS and roomie made a 23lb turkey a week ago and most of the drippings ended up in the bottom of the oven and the drawer. Don't want any fires!

Dehydtration:tongue_smilie:

Good Girl!

Grey Goose

Have the time of your life, Phyll! Make Earl behave. Don't worry about the wine...I hear there's absolutely no calories in wine on cruise ships.....pancakes....not so sure. Happy Birthday to you Happy Birthday to you Happy Birthday, Dear Janet Happy Birthday to you!!!! And many more!!! OK..I kind of forgot what it was like hanging around the frat house. DS invited a bunch of friends over for MN steaks and momma's white chicken chilli. Just a great afternoon and evening. You find out all kinds of things from your children's friends. And, nice to hear. Heard over and over how DS speaks so highly of his parents...just nice to hear. Not that we would try to pull that out of him but he says it on his own. DH loves beer but he's like a 4-5 beer kind of guy that will have a few around the campfire. Didn't need a campfire tonight. Think he tried to keep up with the young ones. Downstairs play WII and being fairly loud. Gotta love him. I had my one Grey Goose and water with Crystal Lite. I'm such a lightweight. Always have been but think I had more fun than the rest. Anyhoo....my heart is happy to be spending time with Charlie. He's just a cool kid like his brother but totally different. Time to go kick some A$$ on Wii bowling. I have the advantage....12 beers vs. 1 drink. Hmmmm. Not sure...think I'm tooted on that one drink.

I must have missed something about careers and what we "thought" we would be when we were younger? Linda...I am sitting where you are now on the GM issues. Never though to I try to push it. Want those boys to be ready all by themselves.. But, I can tell you this....I'd much rather be holding a baby right now than cleaning up this frig! I went to college for Bus Admin and Mgt. But, all through school I really only had my sights on being an Office Manager. Happy I did the college thing but could have gotten by much cheaper with the education costs aspect. I guess I can say I learned much more socially in those 4 yrs and appreciate it. I came from an environment where I was very socially sheltered and my years in school taught me a lot. Have a great trip, Great!

Laura...you tell Nels to hang in there and not worry about being scared with the doc brought out that skill saw. Tell him I was 40 and had my leg in a cast for 9 months (DA dr. misdiagnosed...surgery after many months in a cast). Tell him I got scared everytime they cut it off and I KNEW they weren't going to hurt me. Just the sound and them coming at me with it. Went to Publix and restocked for the baby boy. $400 later but does not take much to make my smiley guy happy. I think he thanked me for every item. He's into a healthy high protein/some carbs diet and was stating how much more expensive it is to eat right. I've always believed that. He loves to cook so just bought him a bunch of meat and frozen veggies to have on hand. I have a huge pot of chicken chilli brewing on the stove and will break it down into freezer containers for him. While that's stewing, I am cleaning his frig. A little turkey blood (TMI) got away from him while he was thawing a turkey last weekend to cook for his guy buddys that were here for the game.. Other than the frig, his house is clean. Not bad for 3 guys living in it. Makes a mom proud. I always wondered if those 2 boys of mine would do for themselves in their own homes. I think I did my job with them and it stuck.... He lives in a great little development about 2 yrs old. When he said he was moving to Atlanta, I had visions of much worse. Funny how we see our kids as adults. He left home just a few days after turning 18 and has been living in Alaska, CA, FL and GA for the last 8 yrs. I still see him as my 18 yr old....just hanging at keggers while planning the next party. I think my little guy (if you can call 220lbs little) is now a man. Whew!

Ma Ingalls

Hey Telly...welcome. You look wonderful and congrats on all your hard work.

Morning girls...Hope you got some sleep, Julie. Charlene...hope your weather does not affect you physically. I consider myself so lucky to not have many aches or pains. I did get sore (pressure points) sore yesterday after riding so long but it subsided after walking around. Had a great night's sleep. Did not wake up till 7:30, which is a few hours more than I usually do. Today will just be for hanging out. Think I will head to Publix and restock DH's pantry...a mom thing. You all have a good day. Time to take the dog for his walk. Later.

Hey Eva! Unloaded the beef and goodies for son. The rest goes to the cabin. We made it down here without stopping once for a meal.. Not once. Packed sandwiches for DH (he's wanting to take 10lbs off) and I packed my food. We did pee breaks and that was about it. But, DH probably gained 10lbs with all the Protein bars he ate on the way here. OK...topic for the day tomorrow...and I most likely will be participating. Here it is: We all talk about stress in our lives. I truly believe that stress most likely was a huge factor in leading to our obesity. Question to ask yourselves and discuss here on this thread tomorrow. Have any of you really learned how to de-stress? Have you found the one (or more) thing that helps to tame your stress? I'll add my answer tomorrow cuz gotta go visit with DS a little b/4 bed. Anyway...I think I have truly found the answer for myself. How about any of you guys? OK...DS is doing something with DH. I will answer now. Mine is so simple. It's doing something for ME...like a hot bath, a walk, reading. Things I would always feel guilty about doing or thinking there wasn't enough time. I think I needed to come to the point of realizing that taking care of me is OK. OK...who's next?

We will make the trip to FL starting early Sunday morning. It's about 7-8 hour trip. We were lucky to get through Kentucky and Tenn today. Predicting snow and ice in the area we drove through today. Our drive was great today even though long. Beautiful drive through the Aplalacians (sp). Winding roads but just so nice. Now I want to live in the mountains. Just so nice to see DS. I talk to him a number of times a week but just not the same. He just looks so good. Working so hard getting his flight school up and going. A lot on his plate but will do no good for momma to tell him t o slow down. His dad let's not grass grow under his feet either. Heading to bed. DS is taking 2 days (can't fly anyway with weather that is expected) and just going to hang with us. Talk to you all tomorrow.

Cheri...sorry about bringing the deep freeze with us. Me, bionic? Maybe?? Eva...Garrison is from our neck of the woods. This will be quick...just got to son's. He lives about 1 hour from downtown Atlanta. I drove through downtown right a rush hour. Not as bad as he said it would be but bad enough. The only time in this trip that Tanker reacted to anything. He got worked up but fine now. I drove the entire way from MN except for 2 hours yesterday and one hour today. I think hip and knee replacements might happen after sitting for so long. DS is cooking for his dad and am going to go visit. He's looking mighty good and doing well. Now just to get his husky used to my lab. Pretty, pretty husky. Momma might just steal him when DS isn't looking. Hmmmm...2 dogs over 75lbs in the truck on the way to FL. Will check in tomorrow and try to catch up. Welcome to the new poster. Lazy right now and will respond to what I can tomorrow. Nighty nite, sleep tight!

Quick post...Ag Talk is on hold for DH. Chatterbox?????????????????????????/ All those posts are made cuz the dog does not talk. Ok...made it to Bloomington, ILL. First 6 hours of our trip was fine. The last 2 hours were on ice. I think my band was somewhere around my uvula. 23 degrees here. Have a warm bath ready to get in. Dog was a trooper. Talk to you from Atlanta. I feel like I have a number of guardian angels in you guys with all the well wishes. Love ya and visit with you on Friday.

Awww....thanks, Julie. You have a good "solo" flight. You will be fine. See you when you guys get to the condo. I'm Laura's backup if something comes up for her. Hope you don't mind the wait till Eva and Janet get in. Really only a little over an hour. Hope everything works out with Mimi. You are a good GM to take such good care of her. Take care and talk to you soon. Sending loves.:thumbup:

Bye-bye! Talk to you all in a few days (sooner if I can pull DH off of his obsession ....Ag Talk). OK...love ya all. Almost hyper-ventilating I'm so excited to see my son. You all take care. Karen

Waaaaay too cute, LauraK!

Again...la la la la la la la la la la:biggrin::thumbup:

(Plugging ears) La la la la la la la la la la :thumbup:

And Julie...wishing you the best with Mimi and her doc appts.

Julie..I don't think the shopping will be an all day thing. Just a few hours. That's why I had Great check it out ahead of time so we know which mall to go to with the best stores. We don't want to wast a lot of time shopping when we can all be visiting! And, if you do go with us on the little shopping trip, there are benches, coffee shops, etc. You asked when we leave... tomorrow early. DH wants to get to Rockford, ILL by tomorrow night. I am thinking we won't leave here till 7am. If it were up to me (and it should be lol) I would leave at 5am. We have everything in the truck except for items that would freeze. I have 1/4 beef, 3 porkloins, a ham, etc for DS...no worries about that staying frozen with the temps we had the last few days. Talked with DS a couple of days ago to let him know his corn fed beef is on the way. Pretty sure I heard him fire up the grill. OK...don't know if I will get time in the morning so will talk to you girls in a few days from Atlanta. Sending love and will see some of you in a couple of weeks. I am just going to enjoy this time with DH and dog...lots of reading, walking, visiting, campfires, grilling, etc. Just to be able to walk out the door without freezing the ta-tas off. Take care