Apples2

Charlene...sorry you are having issues and aching. Hopefully it will subside and you can enjoy your Christmas pain free. (We can always hope, right?). As Janet said, your attitude to keep going is admirable. Also, I need to 2nd your statement about the support Janet had provided for us by starting this thread and continuing to be an inspiration. We are having the calm b/4 the storm right now. We have an icy rain late yesterday and then followed by snow in the evening. Supposed to expect blowing and drifting soon. Have 9 loaves of apple/banana/cinnimon bread cooling. When DH gets back from picking up some machinery in the field he is going to deliver to some housebound elderly neighbors. We put the Christmas tree head gear on the puppa and he goes along to spread the Christmas cheer. Today will be a work day (don't mind cuz it will ease the stress) and then plan on making a shrimp scampi dish for DH and I tonight for supper and WILL watch a Christmas movie. DH will most likely watch it from behind the eye lids. Him and the 100lb lab in the recliner...snoring in unison. It really is so cute. You all have a good one. Sending you love accross the miles.

Ahem...............missing a state?????????????????

Linda...if you are unable to come to FL, let's make a pact to meet some Sat at the half way point between us. I think you are about 8-9 hours from me. We won't be back from FL until mid-March so it would have to be sometime in April.

No, No, No, Linda! You have to come to FL. I was so looking forward to meeting you! (Yep, it's all about me). I do understand and it will be very disappointing if you do not come but you just do what you need to do and it will all be OK. A BIG CONGRATS on your 100lbs lost! What a great Christmas gift.

I know you struggle with your family, Great, and I am sorry for what you have to deal with. I would be the least likely person to ever tell you to cut ties. It's the most difficult thing I have ever had to do. It affects me daily. But, in order for me to live somewhat of a normal life, it had to be done. No guilt and I know it was the right decision for me and a way to protect my children. I am one to tell people to work really hard to repair relationships, especially family. I never had the option. I am going to be brutally honest and I hope I don't offend you. As I see it, you need to take steps to correct this problem. I do not know your entire history with your sisters and mother. I take it that they somehow get a kick out of abasing you or whatever they do to get your goat...You need to approach each of them (separately) and tell them that this needs to stop. In order to have them respect you, you need to be firm with them and let them know you will no longer take what they are dishing out. (The holidays are maybe not the best time to approach them). Give them some time after letting them know what you expect. Time will tell if they have it in them to change. It's time that you stood up to them and let them know the "new you" is not going to take it anymore. It might make all the difference in the world in the dynamics of your relationship with them. It is too devastating for me to explain in this post why I am without my birth family. It was extreme and I had my own family that I needed to keep from harm. My point, Great, don't ever give up if you think there is something to salvage from a relationship with family and a chance to make them see how they are hurting you.

Arlene...what a wonderful story. The front of my sweater would have been wet and tears running down my face. What a way to make the congregation take notice. Janet...I think you so right on the acceptence thing. We don't have enough acceptence in this world. Yup...we all have stories of things that have happened or had to endure in our past. I don't share mine much because it is so dark, deep and depressing. I am full-on open about it...I just think that no one else has to take it on and I have dealt with it. But, there's is no greater feeling of accomplishment than dealing, learning how to handle what has happened and turning that corner to the other side of life. Janet...admire you for hitting the gym the way you do..even when you have things going on during this busy time. Couldn't find a Christmas movie on tv and DH is watching Kellys Heros (1970 Clint Eastwood), so I think I will pick up my book and crawl between the quilts (4)...cold here. Hey Phyll...the book I am reading tonight is based in Everett, Washington. It's an Ann Rule book (true crime) about a guy named Chuck Leonard that was murdered by his wife. Rule is my favorite author and when I know I have a book coming from Amazon, I run to meet the UPS truck. I order her new books as soon as I can. I'm almost behind the game...only one more of her books sitting by the bed to be read.

Great...nope, I don't have the stomach flu. Just have never had anything on had in case it would happen. A couple of the family members have it that we have been exposed to. Also, wanted to have the prescription for nausea to take south with us just in case. This is for you nurses...doc gave me metoclopramde 10mg. Do you keep anything on hand just in case you get the stomach flu? Do you know if the above helps? It was not my band doc that gave the med script to me. Wondering if I should maybe let my band doc know also what I am taking. Maybe just paranoid? I'm just so careful when it comes to putting anything in my stomach.

Julie...so sorry to hear about DH's family member. One of my fears here on the farm is DH falling off of a bin. Some of ours are 80' up and he climbs to the top often. Thank you for the invitation to Christmas Eve Dinner. I think it would take me till tomorrow night to get there in this weather. We got hit this afternoon while I was in town. Drove the 15 miles home while it was raining/snowing and icing up. Not a fun trip. I do not feel bad at all about having Christmas with the family delayed. At least we can have it and that's what counts. Well, gonna go get the jammies on, make some popcorn for me DH and the dog and watch a movie. Sounds like we will be housebound until Sat sometime. Hmmmmmmm...what to do all alone with DH for three days???????

Our family Christmas has been pushed back till Sunday. Stomach flu, travelling conditions and unexpected surgery for our hostess. Guess it will be DH and I watching old Christmas movies and catching up on some much needed time together. I called my doc's office to see if he would give me some meds to have on hand just in case I would come down with the flu. Hope he will hand it over because it will put my mind at ease. Any of you keep anything on hand? Is is oral or suppositories?

Arlene...from the looks of it, you'd better fly Eva over. With what she is making, looks like she wins! Hi LauraK...Merry Christmas. Yes, we should all count our blessings. We have many.

Oh Eva...your meal sounds wonderful. Would love to just "pop" over and sit at your table to sample everything. It sounds lovely. We tried to break tradition one year with DH's family and serve my seafood lasagna, chicken lasagna and beef lasagna. Well, FIL got ahold of the info ahead of time and made a trip all the way to our farm to let us know (even though we hosted) that we HAD to stick to tradition and lasagna was not allowed. Actually, it pissed me off, AND, not nice to swear around the time of Christmas and I was spewing cuss words after DH told me. Had all the ingredients and all set up the day b/4. Sooooooooo...to make things just sweet and nice, I made the trip to town and bought the provisions for the traditional turkey, ham, yam dinner. That was the first Christmas we ever hosted and I think today I would have said tough sh_t if that happened. Family traditions are wonderful but I wanted to start our own in our own home. Oh well...tough to change some. Good going on only 2lbs up when you thought it was more. I admire your attitude of getting back at it after the holidays. You have a great time..don't wear yourself down with the prep work. Sending warm MN hugs!

I was thinking of posting this little suggestion last night and forgot. Don't even step on your scale for the next week. Be mindful of what you are eating during this holiday season but don't let the scale affect how you are feeling about yourself during this time. We will be eating so many different foods, more sodium, etc. which can cause extreme flucuation in what we weigh. As I said, watch your intake but enjoy a variety and enjoy your holidays.

You know you are a banster when...the holidays are here and you are not in a panic about how many pounds you will gain and that you can indulge in a "few" goodies and not worry about it! Merry Christmas!

Cheri...we've all had our "down in the mouth" posts. None of us stay even emotionally every day. That's the good thing about posting hear. Others listen, respond and even if you don't get a response to something...at least you got it out. The base of our food addictions is not all about food. It's also about issues that we have pent up inside of us. I think we all do a pretty good job of venting to each other when we feel the need. I know at times I will post about something that is really bugging me in my daily life. Then, I will come back on and apologize for that post. I know that is wrong. I know that there's no one here that minds reading a post once in awhile from a fellow bandster that is down in the dumps. It's all part of this process that will continue on for a lifetime. We have found each other and feel comfortable "talking" to each other. Some posts are our inner-most thoughts that we would not even share with our friends or family. We have found a soft place to fall.

Is it an exercise ball?

Awwww...I just feel so warm and fuzzy reading about everyone's traditions. And I see the tamales popped up again in Janet's post. Comparable to our Northern tradition of oyster stew on Christmas Eve. Thanks for sharing, guys. It's so nice. I LOVE CHRISTMAS. It brings families together and let's all be thankful for the families that we have (even if they are a "fake family" like I found). Sitting here thinking of my youngest DS and him spending Christmas so far away. It's a mom thing and I am sure he will be fine and find a friend or a friends family he can spend it with. He is surrounded by many friends and always finds a solft place to land. We will see him soon. Have my appetizers made for tomorrow and in the frig. In the middle of making my salad and have two different kinds of bread rising on the stove top. The salad is a broccoli, cauliflower, bacon, sunflower nuts, sweet red pepper, onion and dried cherries with honey mustard dressing. Not much else going on today except to do some bookwork and head to the bank. My guys are in the fields finishing up some work (chopping corn stocks) and should be done today. Life is good. Cheri...sorry for your mixed feelings about the holidays. Do what is right for you and I truly wish for you a very happy holidays. Phyll...Woohoo...second place on the decorating. Congrats to you and Earl. So cute to see that motorhome decorated. When I get my motorhome, can I copy you decorating design? PJ...Nice to see your post. Hope you are doing well. Sorry you have been going through some drama in your life but it sounds like you have your sights set on making your world a better place. Sometimes decisions just have to be made and a person has to do what is positive for them in order to live their lives. Nervous about our storm moving in. Sounds like it might be worse more south of us but weather stations says we could get the brunt of it also. Just want family to get home and not travel on the ice that they are saying we will get later today. We are only two miles from our destination but some are travelling 4 hours or more. Fingers crossed. If I don't catch up with all of you b/4 tomorrow or Friday, I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. You are very special to me and every day I appreciate you. Karen

Janet...hope you were finally able to get some sleep. Getting enough potasium? enough fluids? Need to ask Nurse Phyll or Nurse Laura what is going on?????????????????:tongue:

For many years now, we have gotten together at a hotel in our town (15 miles away) with all our friends from our lake resort. Even though it's close to home, we have stayed each year. I don't think we will this year though. We will go visit and participate in the potluck and head home after DH has a few beers with the buddies.

OK, Diva, let's revive this thread. Can we have another clue on this one? Anyone out there have a guess?

Oh Great...my New Years tradition for soooooooooooo long was to vow that the next year I would lose weight. Year after year after year...the same old thing. Now, I don't have a thing going into the last couple of years that I have to make a resolution for.

There's such a HUGE difference between the term "well fed" today compared to 2 yrs ago, Arlene. Back then it meant the huge 16' dinner plate I keep in my cupboards and dessert to follow. Now I am eating off of that dessert plate or even the smaller appetizer plate. :tongue:

When you live on a farm 15 miles from the closest supermarket (or any store) you learn to stock the pantries, the closets and any other nook and cranny. I am a person that only grocery shops about every two weeks and just stop and pick up milk, if needed. We have two pantries (one of which I am cleaning and organizing today) and I have two large Lazy Susans in my kitchen that hold all my canned goods. Yep, I'd say we could get snowed in until next year this time and we would not starve....we'd be mighty bored, but well-fed.:tongue:

Boos02....are you around? I see you popped in to look...how are you doing?

Arlene...we have enough snow the way it is. We don't need ppl travelling with zero visibility because of blowing snow. Such a worry. We have so many deaths on holiday weekends when we have blowing and drifting snow. So...let me get this right...your mom wrote a check to Santa to pay for the gifts??? So cute.