Apples2

NY...you sound like you are feeling better about everything. I felt similar when I was told by my doc's office that I just had to wait 3 months for the surgery and then it got bumped up to 6. At first it upset me (1minute) and I accepted. It turned out to be a good thing cuz it gave me or time to wrap my head around what was to come. My doc has his patients on solids b/4 and after fills. I could leave his office and go eat whatever I wanted. He moves patients up to solids about a week after surgery. They sure are all over the board with their rules. I grew up Catholic, too. We LIVED at church. Went to a Catholic school...mass every morning. And, come hell or high water, you were there for every Holy Day. I was taught by nuns and worked for nuns at our hospital at the age of 13. All I know is that they can really pinch! The pinching didn't do any good cuz I grew up to have a mind of my own and strayed away from the Catholic church and it's teachings. I believe but not just everything that is taught. Julie...hope you got at least some sleep. I did. Felt good. Been up for a couple of hours but DH just got up. I love it when he can sleep in. Have steel cut oats on the stove. Made the entire bag this morning so I can throw some in the freezer. I ate some yesterday but was full for too long. Think I am going to have to leave them alone. I get too full and cannot get cals in. DH is up for breakfast. Later.

We'll definately have to do that, Linda!

Julie... Bring 3 cups of water to a boil You can add 1/4 salt if you want Add 1 cup dry oats to boiling water. Turn down heat so it is just barely bubbling. Cook another 10-15 minutes. Cover and let sit for 10 minutes. This makes four servings. There you go! Good with dried cherries, raisins, dates and it does not take many to give it flavor.

Linda...thanks for the wonderful offer but will have to turn it down this time. You have a DH? Then you know how they can be. DH has poured over the atlas in the evenings planning this trip and our stops. There is some farm show somewhere in some state that he wants to attend on Tuesday. (I didn't hear the location when he talked about it....He starts talking about farm stuff and all I hear is la la la la la...). Anyway, the plan is to leave b/4 daylight and drive until after dark the first day so it will get us within 2 hours of his farm show. If you do not make it to FL, I would love to drive to IA some day and you can meet me somewhere. How does that sound? I am amazed by the amount of exercise you are doing, Linda. You certainly are focused on your health and making your goal. We are all behind you!

Good to hear that the Orlando resort has a chair with my name on it also! I was referring to the resort DH and I are staying at. Did not even plant my butt in one of the loungers by the pool last year cuz it was too darned cold. Just asking for a little of it this year. Not too much to ask for! Previous years down there, it was always in the 80's. Unseasonably cold the last couple of years.

Good Afternoon Gang... Just did a drive by last evening. Have been doing a 1 hour relaxing bubble bath every evening since the beginning of the new year. Really cuts into the evening but I find it soooooo relaxing and had to go to the library again this morning to load up on more books to read in the tub. This "me" time was part of my NY resolution and feeling the need to relax. It's working. I cannot do TV but did catch some AI while DH was watching it. Meredith...hope your GM will be OK. Tell your aunts to lay off of her. Sounds to me like they are kicking her while she is down. As I stated last night, was hoping you could have made the trip but life sometimes gets in the way. Laura...thanks for sharing the video of the resort. Looks nice. I still wonder if they got our pricing correct. Seems awfully low priced but I'll take it! I checked and rechecked on the rates so we are good to go. We are in the 30's today and thanks for asking and sharing how "chilly" it is for you today. Talked to someone at the resort DH and I will be staying at in Salt Springs and she said they got up to 78 yesterday. Maybe it will be warmed up by the time we get there. There's a lounge chair by the pool with my name on it! It was chilly here this morning and went to town about 10am. We had gotten a freezing rain so skated all the way. Better on the way home...just slush. I get you on the being home all day and wanting to eat. I told DH last week that if and when I have to watch my intake again, I want to be working not grazing here at home. Hugs on your dad's issues. Nice tractor, Julie. DH's dad used to restore tractors in his shop when he retired and DH did the painting. They did 16 JD tractors during that period of time. You look great, Julie. I can see your weightloss since the last photo you posted. Good goin' LauraK...loved the leaves. Big diff in b/4 and after photos also. You look wonderful. NYSparkle...I think that each one of us mostly had sleep apnea. Sounds like your doc wants to take care of things a.s.a.p. Sorry for the delay in your surgery. Trying to get some things organized and packed for our trip. I do have some of it done but repacking, etc. We leave a week from Monday. I have always flown to our destinations and don't know how I will handle being in a vehicle for a few days. I will do most of the driving because DH is a gawker. Gotta check out every field and farmsite along the way, ya know. I fear for my life so I will be at the wheel. Now the only time I might veer off course would be if I would spot an outlet mall. But, the other part of my NY resolution is the need vs. want thing. I have so many lovely clothes and want for nothing. But, a day at the mall to "just look" is fine with me. Better get after it. I feel so lost with not 100 things coming at me at one time and feel like I am already on vacation.

Janet...you can donate by just punching in some #'s on your cell and it will be charged to your cell bill. Just go to CNN.com to retrieve the #.

Evening Gang...just a drive by on my way to bed to read. Meredith...good to finally hear from you. Sorry you cannot make FL. Was looking forward to meeting you in person. Happy to hear you are staying on track. Sorry to hear about your GM and the trouble she is experiencing. Well...off to bed I go. We have had CNN on all night. So sad...watched the coverage on the EQ in Haiti but could barely look sometimes. Just so devastating. Makes a person feel so thankful and so, so sorry for what they are going through. Prayers for them tonight.

Julie...to quickly answer your question...just pay me when we get to FL. Thanks for the offer though

Great...do you think that your not sleeping could be a build-up from the pain medications? I had leg problems after my second pregnancy...very painful and on pain meds for awhile. After awhile it made me very jittery and I had a lot of trouble sleeping. Just a thought. Laura? Phyll? Any thoughts?

Just checking to see if you were on your toes!:thumbup:

Great...thanks for sharing that site. I have my stores picked out: Ann Taylor Banana Republic Book Warehouse Chicos Coldwater Creek Eddie Bauer Gap J. Crew Jones New York Journeys Kenneth Cole Nine West Ralph Lauren Samsonite Zales If I took off now, I could be the first customer in the door tomorrow morning!

Page #501...I win again!

And, I should add...until I get out there and really look for a job and get my feet wet in the working world again, I really shouldn't complain. After we get back from our vacation I am going to do something about it.

Great...re-read that sentence you wrote about the outlet. I thought you were saying that you hope I found an outlet mall. Just point me in the right direction and I'll make use of my time! I could always shop for a living. Hummmmmm... Not looking for full time. That would kill me with the load I have here. My load will not lessen at home if I got back to work. I can almost guarantee that. Never did when I worked more than full-time for over 20 yrs. I am looking for 2-3 days/week. Hey...they weren't stupid when they built that fishing outlet mall, were they? There's that mentality around here...DH goes hunting deer, dear goes in search of mall.

Arlene...I'm not quite sure about the food police but what think Janet is trying to tell you is that the SHERIFF and her posse are back in town and ready to go to work!:thumbup:

Janet....yep, you have out-yacked me. Good goin'!

Lori...most places, when hiring, take into consideration previous plans. I plan on looking for something when we get back from our six week trip. My "previous plans" are all planned out for as long as I live. Either I get the six weeks off in Jan-March or I don't get hired. I just cannot be selfish when it comes down to DH wanting to go each year. But, I am finding I REALLY need something for ME in this life. I've kind of gotten lost in the whole scheme of things. Some days I feel I was put on this earth for one purpose...serving stew, soup, cleaning up after others, the gofer, etc. It's time for me to get back in the world again. It wouldn't be so bad if we didn't live so far from everything. This old lady needs more stimulation (mind out of the gutter, girls...not physically) but intellectually. If I don't find a job, I will still volunteer at the hospital and other places.

Self-proclaimed winner here! Now, let's get on with the next 500 pages. Anybody...any questions for our leader Janet? I promise I won't monopolize these next 500 pages.

Gosh, Arlene...you found me out. I have a whole string of dolls with each of your names on it:ohmy: Good luck with your doc appt! Wish you could make the FL meet, Arlene! Did I win?

Heck, LauraK, I highjacked her thread along time ago. She just has not realized it yet! Actually, I just go on and on and on and on....and I don't realize it! Did I win yet?:thumbup:

Julie...not discounting what you are saying about the terrible twos and Mimi keeping GM plenty busy. I think back to those days and think they were so easy. Didn't think that at the time. The worry our "party animal" DS's put us through as teens made the terrible twos seem so sweet. Gotta enjoy them at every age and I am sure even during this stage, you really enjoy having Mimi around. I can tell by your posts. Happy to hear you got a good nights sleep. Me too. Only got up once to eat during the night. I am so lucky though. Even if I get up to eat, I can go right back to sleep. Did I win?

Woohoo Laura! Sounds like a go for FL for you. Any trouble making reservations? I had a "good go-around" with the resort on reservations. I called to cancel one of the 3BR condos the other day. (Did some figuring and we will only need 2). Anyway, they had me down for only 1-3BR but I had a confirmation for 3. After over 3 hours on the phone back and forth with the resort and the booking company, we finally got it resolved. Then, got their confirmation by email and they stated that they charged my credit card double the rate that was in my confirmation. Another hour on the phone and we are now square. Please nobody panic about me canceling that one condo. We will have plenty of room. Each condo has 1 bedroom with a king sized bed, jacuzzi bath and shower. Second bedroom has 2 twin beds and bathroom. Third bedroom has king sized bed with bathroom. Livingroom has a queen sized sofa bed. All bedrooms and livingroom have a tv. Full kitchen, ironing board, iron, hair dryers and in-room safe. More than enough room for everyone. If Judy or Jewel decide to stay, still enough room with the sleeper sofa. So, is everyone OK with me canceling that condo or do I need to get it back? Everything is already paid for. I also paid the $75 cleaning fee per condo. Our down payment was $114 and remaining fee which includes tax, cleaningfee, booking fee came to $567.30 which equals $681.30. Price per condo for three nights is $340.65. Just divide by the number of ppl in each condo and that's your share. There is a $300 damage deposit per condo at the time of check in and refunded at the time of checkout. I am willing to take care of that. But, if any of you "Rowdies" do damage, I carry a BIG stick. LOL. I'm good with settling up on the charges when everyone checks in. LauraK...I wish you could make the trip. I am sure this won't be our last. Maybe someone can come up with a summer one or work on one for next winter. Eva...hope DH will be feel safe with all of us women. I promise I'll be nice....not sure about the rest! Not at 500 pages yet, Laura. Will take few more posts. Last person to post wins!

Eagle...what stage are you at? When were you banded? Just let us know where you are at, what questions you have, etc. Welcome

Eva...I am thinking of bringing one of my boiled wool jackets with me to FL. I wear them long into the spring and early fall. If I think of it, I will snap a photo of it tomorrow. It really does look like it's made for a little warmer weather. Some of mine are lightweight enough that I can pull them off as a sweater. Note is on the desk by the camera. It's off to bed I go!