Apples2

A dip I always have made up and ready to go: 1 cup Fat Free sour cream 1 Tsp dill weed 1 Tsp lemon juice 1 Tsp minced garlic (optional) 1 Tsp minced onion (optional) Great for dipping

Us MN ppl consider today to be a mild day. No wind and 11 degrees. Just got back in from chopping ice off the driveway. Actually had to peel a layer of clothing off. It all boils down to what you are used to. Youngest DH has spent the last 7 yrs in CA, FL and GA and does not like coming home in the winter. He even thinks our summer evenings are cold. Congrats on baby-to-be #10. None in the new future for us...not even with the dog. (Fixed).

Back home sooner than we thought. Good little trip with honey, even though it was business. If there would have been a seat belt in the middle of DH's truck seat, I would have sat there and pretended to be 23 again and on a date, or just married, or something, etc. Linda...you joint replacement ppl (also Great and Phyll) are an inigma. I've known many ppl who have had replacements and I swear they have not done as well as you guys. Must have felt good to get "released" from the hands of the medical ppl. I know you will watch and be mindful of the exercises you do. I am just amazed by all of you. I think you are correct on the pets as family issue. I think most of us have them as family members. Our empty nest dog is one of the kids. He's my sounding board, my baby, my walking partner (except for treadmill...he flew off the back), my day brightner. So if you are reading this JB, we know what you are going through in this difficult time. I just want to give you a hug but a cyber hug is being sent instead. I have to learn how to handle all this year end stuff better and not let it stress me. It's mostly wrapped up now and can breath. I am such a perfectionist (as is DH) and it actually serves no purpose. So, adding to my resolution list....CHILL. Laura...hope Nels did not come home from school and see the dead train. My boys would have been sensitive to something like that also. This sounds cruel but when the boys were younger we lied to them about what happened to a dog of ours. Now, you know we are dog lovers. But, we were "gifted" a dog from DH's sister when she moved off of her farm to town. Crazy, brain wormed dog. And, that statement was true with this dog. You cannot teach an old dog new tricks. Think it was because previous family never paid attention to it. Anyway, we live on a very busy paved road. Lots of grain hauling semis, young teens driving to school, etc. This dog would lay on the side of the ditch incline where he could not be seen and jump out at vehicles and they would swerve. We were so worried about causing an accident. We had to make the decision on what to do and not an easy one. Had him put to sleep. To this day I feel bad about that but no shelters at the time and no one of our neighbors would take that crazy dog. Long story...sorry. We told our boys when they came home from school that day that the dog got hit by a semi. Only time we lied to them. Told them later. Man, that story was long but your gonna have to read it now cuz not going to erase.

Oh no, JB...I'm so sorry for what you are going through with your baby. They ARE family and I truly understand what you would go through in a situation like that. Take care and let us know how things are going. Sending hugs.

Hey Gang...just letting you know won't be around much the next couple of days. (Farm stuff). Might have a few moments to read posts. Just to let you know....been caught doing the AWOL in the past and just don't want to get in trouble. I just really love you guys....talk to you in a couple of days!

Jessica...so nice to hear from you so soon and you sound so upbeat. Take care of yourself, follow your doc's instructions to a tee and be good to your band. Welcome to Band Land:biggrin:

Deb...you look a lot like your avatar. Pretty lady...big gourd! That is a gourd, right????????

Long..don't know how I missed your post...yep, dogs (and cats) are such caring creatures. Yesterday I laid down on the couch. I am not a nap taken but NY resolution to recharge the body once a week. Well, our black lab ran and got DH, barked until he came in to look. I think the only time I have laid on the couch is when I have had a kidney stone. He does seem to know even when one is coming on cuz he will lay is head where the pain is. You better get out there and clean out that going out of business AT store!!!!! I will say this again...I LOVE Ann Taylor!

Thanks, Laura for the compliments. Dress was my mom's when she got married in 1949...we got married in 1979. My boys still have those kissable cheeks. I kiss 'em but those girls that chase them like to kiss them more!:blushing:

Kashi Go Lean and Fiber One cereals are a staple in my diet. As soon as I get home from purchasing them at the supermarket, I ration them into 1 cup snack bags so I don't get carried away with the amount I snack on. (Around 200 cals per dry cup). I use them as an afternoon or morning snack. Most have over 40% of daily requirement of fiber a person needs. They can be addicting so beware!

First off...congrats on your weightloss so far. It is good to limit carb intake but you do need some healthy carbs for a well-rounded healthy menu. We are all so different in what our band allows us to eat or tolerate. I can eat almost any meat but some just are too rich for my stomach. For instance, beef fillet mignon I can eat but after I eat it, it seems too rich for me. But, sirloin works fine. In my opinion, not being too tight is the trick to enjoy that well-rounded menu. Getting hungry every 3-4 hours is not a negative thing. Making good healthy choices, eating hard protein to keep you fuller longer is the trick. Let us know what your usual menu is and maybe we can help you tweek it a bit.

That's the "male" version. We have the "female" which is double the size. Cannot find photo. Will snap one for Nels in the spring.

Product of above posted happiness:tt2:

Gotta share this. Was looking through photos saved on my computer files and came across this happy couple

Good girl, JB with the eggs....wait an hour or so on the coffee! Don't want to wash it through. Yep, a farm girl. 15 miles from the closest town with a store. Our town has a population of 156. "My" life would be more stress free if I worked off the farm but DH's would be more stressful. It was a comprimise for me to be here. DH encourages me to go back to work if that's what I want. I do have some very stress free days but also a good share of them are high stress. Just a trade off. I miss the interaction with "real" ppl on a daily basis. Laura...tell Nels to look up "Big Bud" tractors on the internet and he can see one that we use for our tiling business. I swear that thing is 1/2 the size of our house and they added big arms with wheels on them to hold the big rolls of tile which made it even bigger. I will try to get a photo of it and send it to him when the thing comes out of the machine shed next spring. Will search my photos...maybe I have one. DH also had JD's and Catapillar tractor with tracks, not tires. Good goin' on getting to the gym. Way to go!:blushing:

Sounds like an interesting job, Deb. JB...I'm a stay at home farm woman...going on ten years. I long to be in the working world most days. I owned and operated two insurance agencies for years and sold them to "simplify and de-stress" our lives. We manage a corn and soybean farm and have two other business'. A agricultural tiling business and a farm machinery business. DH and his partner invented a piece of machinery that we sell throughout the US and Canada.

Got room at your institution for one more? All this talk about you guys going back to work is making me want to go grab a blazer and skirt and head out the door. Social interaction? Do dogs count?

Wow Eva...can see how beautiful all the shrubs are and everything surrounding you. Will never forget stepping off a plane in Pheonix years ago and thinking that I would miss the green grass of MN. By the time we left ten days later, I was in love with AZ. Morning Deb...I'm an early morning lover also. Time with hubby over coffee. I accomplish most of my work in the morning. Accomplishing anything after 2pm is iffy.

Great...have fun on you "solo" adventure. Watch of ice and snow but have a good time with Grandma. When do you go back to work? Maybe a good thing you do not have to deal with the hordes heading to the gym to start their new, healthy lifestyle.

Awww...you're all making me jealous...wish I was heading out the door to work,, gym whatever. Too cold to go anywhere. Frost on the nipples this morning, girls!

Janet...somewhat of a resolution for this year for me is to take a nap once a week to recharge...no matter what is going on around this farm. There are times I am so spent but do not want to lay down for a nap cuz I think I should keep going. I slept for 45 minutes. Great....can you give us all an idea of when to expect our invites to the wedding????? Dawn...been using it for years for anything that is oil based. Also, love the new Tide tablets that take out spots. Linda...yahooo! Good going on the exercise. I know it's been bugging you not to get any. Just be careful. I know I cannot stand it when I cannot exercise. I think it is a great destresser. Even if it's just for a bit a day. Ready to go sit in a tub of warm water and read. Corn hauling day on the farm tomorrow. Will have extras around here so better go take something out of the freezer. Freespirit....hope you get things figured out. Never good not to have the support you need. Take Janet's advice, study her list she provided, ask for help if you are unsure. Good luck and hope we hear back from you on how things are going. Sleep tight everyone!

Afternoon Girls, Didn't even get on to check this thread until now. Had some fine-tuning on the books with DH for a big part of the day and then laid down for a long winter's nap. Did get outside for a short walk...was feeling pent up and DH is a little bit of a perfectionist....yep...needed the walk. Jewel (Jessica) just want to wish you the best of luck tomorrow. It's a big step to prepare for and you seem to have accepted what is coming your way. The only advice I feel I can give you at this time is to follow ALL of your doc's rules. I hope we can follow you throughout your journey and your transformation. Please let us know how you are doing when you feel like posting. Take care and stay in contact with us. Laura....hope you get some "me" time this next week. You know...I cannot think of much to say. I think I woke up from my nap missing part of my brain. I will call back later.

Laura...I don't know if I would have one good answer on the nail biting issue with Nelson. I can only tell you what I would have done. I would have maybe turned it the other way and rewarded if each week the nails had not been bitten. Nothing big but something like a trip to DQ or going in to buy a matchbox car. Every child is different on how they react and each parent has their own technique. That's the approach that I think would have worked at our house and my DS's.

The photos only show about 1/4 of the collection...didn't want to bore you guys. Arlene...you asked about the size of pan for potatoes. You have me stumped. I think if you did 2.5 lbs you could use a cake pan. I use a roasting pan for the 5lbs.

Evening Ladies...our last Christmas celebration was wonderful. Everyone got here about 11:30am and left about 1/2 hour ago. Was a lovely day. The kids were so good and had fun at "Auntie's" house. They had more fun on my treadmill than they did with their toys. That and dancing with my big Santa. Deb?????? Did I hear that you are playing with the idea of FL???????? How about it???? Might be just what you need. Hey Julie...sounds like you brought the New Year in with family and friends. I LOVE potato pancakes. Our Friday night meal with halibut when we were growing up (Catholic...no meat Fridays). Meredith...forgot to mention your photos. You are quite the beauty. Hope you had a great time. Eva...Nice big pup and beautiful cat..Laura also. I cannot have a cat in the house but I love them. Great pics. Supposed to go to a machine shed party tonight. Am hoping DH just heads out for a couple of hours by himself. -30...I just can't go out and just to stand around and watch guys drink beer and talk about farming. I think a bag of popcorn to share with my puppa sounds a little more comfy. Hope you all had a great day and enjoy tomorrow.