Apples2

I forgot already what photos I attached but was hoping to post all three trees. The loaded one is in living room, little one in Kitchen and other in basement familyroom...

I know this is late but wanted to post some Christmas photos that I was going to do last week but card reader would not cooperate. Soooooooooooo, now you have to look at outdated, old lady Christmas photos:scared2:

OK...I am a self-professed coffee addict but for a change I LOVE the Alpin sugar free Spriced Cider made by Krusteaz. Got them in the coffee/cocoa aisle at Walmart. I actually make with about 16 oz of hot Water instead of 8oz so they are not too sweet. Great on a cold day and very satisfying for a sweet tooth. Give them a try!:thumbup:

Forgot to add...it was -29 (yes, minus) degrees this morning at 5am when I got up. Cheri...have fun with the grand babies

Hey Meredith....it's soooooooo good to hear from you. And, thanks for posting the pictures. I love seeing what ppl look like and what they are up to. I am going to post some as soon as I can. Sounds like it time to get out of your funk and beating yourself up. Make that clean break from the junk in your life and get back on the ole' horse? You fell off but didn't get hurt too bad, did you? 2lbs is manageble. Might work to just go back to your LB basics to get yourself into a healthy routine again. The house smells wonderful. Roasted the porkloin in the oven all night on a low temp. It's out cooling, going to slice and put back in juice and keep warm. Then I have floors to do and I should be ready for the crowd. Looking forward to it. Have four little ones coming. Got the Christmas stockings back out, renamed them and stuffed them for the kids. Had a great night of sleep. I am really strange (alright...no comments). I don't like to go to sleep. I dread going to bed most nights and if I wake up during the night I just wish and wish and wish for morning. I just plain DREAD going to sleep. Think I need to hire that life coach that I was going to tell you guys about. She had so many calming techniques to use b/4 bed and as soon as a person wakes in the morning. Great...I use 2-8oz, 1/3 fat cream cheese in the 5# of potatoes and 4 cups (2 tubs) of FF sour cream. I don't put salt or butter and any milk. I bake at 350 for an hour. They go a long way so you might want to start with 2.5#'s. OK...of and running. Gotta get things done and ready for our last Christmas. Dang....this holiday season was spread out. Ready to get the Christmas decorations put away. Embarrassed to say I have 21 large tubs and that does not include outside or the three trees. DH put up huge shelves that take up most of our storeroom to accomodate the tubs. I am not one to hang onto a lot of "stuff" but my Christmas stuff is the most special. I love Christmas. You all have a great day and hope everyone's eating habits will slide right back into normal. I know I need a break from too many different kinds of foods and rich foods. Makes a person feel sluggish and lazy.

The make ahead potatoes...I just pealed 5#s of potatoes, boiled, mashed and added cream cheese and FF sour cream. Put in a baking dish and ready to put in oven to bake for an hour when the time is right. My mom used to make them with above ingredients but would fold in stiff egg whites. I cannot remember, Lori, who you said you were going to funeral for. I, too, love when ppl post photos. I am going to try to snap some tomorrow b/4 I have to take down my Christmas things and post them when I get my card reader working again. Darned tech guy we have....takes forever to take care of business. Time for a new one. We have had our new computer for close to six months now and we still have not been charged for it. Called in and they keep saying "Thanks for being so honest but we don't have an invoice for you". Well, DUH! make one! It just might be to their advantage to bill us for it. Cheri...summer trip to Chicago would never work for me....farming does not allow for me to travel during spring, summer or fall months. Maybe the girls from AZ and CA would welcome a climate change from their hot summers?????

Poor DH....you would think that at the age of 55 he would know better than to try and out-drink his 28 yr old DS. He goes weeks in between a beer usually and he drank a years worth in one night. He was laughing so hard at comedian, DS's GF kept looking at him and was making sure he was not having a heart attack. Gotta get that boys off the farm more often. Laura...dang that hot tub looks inviting. Pretty easy to freeze the finger tips and toes where we live. Cannot wait for our trip to FL. Six weeks of warmth (Anything over 30 is fine with me). Sweet of Nels to write a personal thanks. Cannot wait to see it. I will have to grab some farm stuff once in awhile and send it his way. Ventured out in the cold this afternoon for a visit with family. Thank God of auto-start. Just finished most of the food for tomorrow. I have a huge porkloin marinating and will cook it all night on low heat. Made homemade mac and cheese cuz thought the little ones would like it, strawberry salad, make ahead mashed potatoes, will serve sweet corn from our field that had frozen, and have three different kinds of homemade bread. Also made some peanut butter/choc/rice krispie bars for the little ones and made Dutch apple pie ready to pop in the oven. I should be set. Can anyone say "Comfort Foods"? There's a good number of people from our area that suffer depression during the winter months. One of the reasons youngest DH moved from Alaska. I count myself as very fortunate to have really never experienced depression and feel for those who do have it. Did nothing but eat junk while visiting today. I swear I ate an entire batch of Chex mix over the last week. My tummy needs a rest and back to totally healthy after tomorrow. Too many rich foods for my system. Sure has been fun though! Suggestion for our FL meet. If you have room in your suitcases, throw your favorite board game or card game in. OK...think I am heading to bed to start a new book. DH has been watching Law and Order marathon and I like the show but after many, many hours of listening to it, I can rattle off the Miranda in 25 seconds. Sleep tight!

Deb...new year...new start. Hope your depressed feelings subside and sorry you worry about your mother. Not too much can be done when you live a distance away. I sure she appreciates hearing from you. JB...try not be be overwhelmed with the task of starting over. I think with any little gain (even 3lbs) there is the need to "start over". Gotta take a look at what put that weight on and get back into gear. Make little goals for yourself. For instance...5lbs by the time you meet up with us in FL and 10lbs by April 1. That way, you don't feel so defeated. You can actually get excited about meeting little goals and start on to the next. And, during these different stages work on in your mind how you will handle maintenance (In my opinion, maintenance is absolutely no different than the weightloss stage....alway need to be aware, keep journaling, etc.)

Janet...Eva's post reminded me of a couple of things did not comment on. So sorry about another loss in your family. You never know and don't even want to think about something like that happening to family or friends. But, have no control over things like that either. So sad. Deb...a big congrats from me on the 50lbs, also. I have been really bad at following along with you guys lately...so sorry. It's not that don't think about you and read your posts...just hectic for us this two weeks at year end and a week into the new year. I like Arlene's idea of getting the toxins out. I had to do that with a couple of friends two years ago. It was difficult at the time but they served not purpose in my life and were actually causing a lot of negatives. I saw one of them last night and just breathed in a clean breath. She was always so bitter and controlling. I cannot have those things in my life. Last night was great. Met friends from lake at hotel and visited for a couple of hours. Met DS and his GF for dinner and a comedy show. Comedian was fun and was nice bringing in the New Year with our son and his wonderful GF. We stayed with the kids until just after midnight and then drove through our little town on the way home and saw that some of our good friends were at the bar and grill. Didn't get home until after 2am and then sat up and visited with DH over coffee and protein bars until after 3am. Slept in until 9:45 and tired today. Screwed up my schedule. Had one weak drink and I was walking crooked on the way to the bathroom. The kids and DH were putting away buckets of beer. (They are more seasoned that this old lady). Bitterly cold here today....par for NY in MN. Gotta go out in it after a bit to visit dear adopted sis and her family. Trying to get house and food in order for our holiday get-together tomorrow. DH made a promise that he will help in the morning. Expecting a crowd. Pi$$ Pot Pete will be on the run with toilet brush in hand. You all have a great day.

Happy New Year to all my Cyber Sisters!

Hey All...just jumping on to say Happy New Year to all of you. Getting ready to head out for the evening and I am running late. Full day at the computer with last minute farm stuff. But, our year is now complete. Laura...welcome back and GREAT photos. You look so wonderful and such a change in weight from last Christmas photos. Janet and Linda...thanks for sharing your photos also. I am having some trouble with my new computer and card reader and had hoped to post photos. Will try to do it after my last Christmas party on Sat. To All....sending love and best wishes for 2010. Signing off and saying goodbye to 2009

Phyll...always been gonna ask you what your favorite drink is at Starbucks. I know you have mentioned many times that it is your treat. We do not have one within a 200 mile radius. We are gonna hit the road on our way to Atlanta and FL and need some hints. I LOVE their just plain coffee but I am one to sip foo-foo coffees also. If you don't mind, I would like to know.

OOPS...forgot to mention Melissa's mom

I think this Florida Meet has put a FIRE under JB! OK, JB...on Feb 11-14 some of us are meeting up in Orlando. We will be staying at the Buena Vista Resort Condos. We have reserved 3-3BR units and will be staying the 11th, 12th and 13th will everyone heading home on the 14th. So far we have myself, Janet, Eva (Octillo), Meredith, Julie, Melissa (1Day) and Laura (Peascorp) if she can make it. I sure hope you can come up and join us. You have quite a drive...5 hours???? This will be great....I've always wanted to meet you!

Hey, JB...you've been missed. Glad to see you back. Sorry you have struggled but sounds like you are ready to climb back on the horse. I don't know what I would have done without the daily support of these fine ppl. A bunch of us are heading to FL in Feb. What ya doin' the weekend of 11-14??????

Linda....have fun tomorrow with your GF's. Sounds like fun. We have decided that we are going to stop out at the hotel and visit with our lake friends prior to taking oldest DS and GF out for NYE dinner. Excited about it. Nice when your kids actually WANT to spend time with their old folks. Ummmmm....I've seen Great (Lori) and I think she'd took awesome in a teddy. (No icky thoughts or anything, Lori...you just look draned good LOL). If you have not already bought one, go get your cane (if it's icy) and head out to VS. Surprise DH. Oh, and let us know how it went....no detail, please!

It's called acceptance. Been a way of life for me since 1994. Never sure when they will hit and when they do I call it "Life Interuptice".

:tongue2:

Give yourself the time to adjust. It took me forever to not go directly to the "Plus" section when shopping in department stores. Then, when I would redirect myself to the "normal" section, I would feel as if people were thinking I should not be in that department. Just takes awhile. Just wait till you start wearing your skinny jeans everyday and start looking at that slimmer image in the mirror and know it's here to stay.

I think it was Cheri who mentioned veggies with meals and liking them soft. I make this dish often and top my meat with it. It's almost an addiction and have to be careful not to fill my pouch and not get enough protein at the same time. 3 diced/peeled fresh tomatoes 1 jalpeno chopped small (optional) 1 red or green sweet pepper diced 1/2 diced onion 1 sprig or 2 cilantro chopped 1 Tbls minced garlic 1 stalk diced celery I just saute in a little olive oil or olive oil spray until done. I add 3 Tbls of FF sour cream and mix. I use as a side dish or top my meats. It keeps in frig

First off: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR CHERI HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!! You've come a long way, Baby! and look fabulous. Enjoy your day with your family. I am so happy that you are so happy about being surrounded by them today. Secondly I have an announcement to make: A New Arrival at our House Time: 3:03 AM Name: Bouncing Baby Boulder Weight: Not sure but had fingers Length of Labor: Close to 48 hours Momma is resting and doing fine. In fact, ran errands in town, did four loads of laundry, fed the crowd and mopped all the floors. Good to be back to "normal" other than being stiff and pain when I pee. Eva...hope you are feeling better. I have always been so lucky to never have had back problems. Hope you get some relief soon. I love relief. Welcome Leah and Witchbabe. This thread is a soft place to fall. Janet is open and honest about her LB journey and does not mince words. Lots of experience bandsters to help you through this. All you have to do is share. Jewel...you are doing so great. I love the fact that you are preparing yourself physically and mentally for your surgery and after. Way to go, girl! So proud of you. Janet....hope your day back at work is going good. Great...sounds like your appts are going great. You are doing amazingly with your recovery. I am in awe of Linda also with how she is doing. Laurak..."Hi", Laura...hope all is well and you are back home. Meredith...where the heck are you?????? Julie...hope Mimi and you are better. What a good Grandma. Do any of you think I will EVER be a Grandma?????? Sorry but cannot catch up with all of the posts. Just wanted to pop on and let you know our exciting news. Take care and have a great day.

Oh Eva...thanks for the offer of psychic sonic waves. But, I am at the point right now that I would much prefer a 5th of Grey Goose delivered to my door:blink:

Well...I must be the odd girl out. I love my veggies just passed over the steam a bit. Mushy I can do but prefer lightly steamed. Cheri...who's Jack?

Evening Girls... Great...I don't recognize the name of that town that was getting all the snow. Albany? maybe? When you live in MN, you are crazy not to carry colapse coverage on your ins. policy. Especially for all of our "outbuildings"..machine sheds, etc. Heavy, heavy snow this year and lots of it. Well, things aren't moving as fast as I would like them to with this stone. Just wish I could bear down and it would be gone. No such luck. And, to add stress to it all, it's crunch time around here to get everything completed by the time the bank closes on Dec 31. I think we have all of our prepays figured out and should be able to be ahead of the deadline. It always works and hope this year is not diff. The late harvest threw a wrench into EVERYTHING. Gonna go sit in a warm bath and read. Thanks to you all for the well-wishes. It will pass...it had better. I have been put under a number of times where they either had to go up and get them or break them up. It willl pass on it's own. Please join me in the "Crossed Fingers and Toes" club.