heartfire

HI! <waving madly at everyone!> Just checking in. I've managed to read everything that I've missed over the last week+ but now can't remember a whole lot to do shout outs. Gotta get back to multi-quoting. I was SO good at it! LOL! Christmas was wonderful and New Year's was great. On to my busiest season now. All of the financials w/work need A LOT of attention right now. Payroll taxes, quarterly taxes, W-2s & 1099s, council reports, year-end reports, closing out 2009 and opening 2010 and filing!! YUCK! I miss checking in all of the time. Hoping to be back on a daily basis once all the tax stuff is done - end of this month to the middle of next. Take care! I'll try to pop in and at least read once in awhile! HUGS!!!

Checking in and I suck! Okay, well, not really but it sorta feels like the thing to say right now! I WAS 179 and my goal was 170. Well, I'm 180! YUCK!! Tho I have to say that before surgery that gain would have been A LOT more. I'm actually okay with it. Not happy by any means but I'm okay. On to 2010!!

One is already started!

Hey y'all! Quick drive-by post. I'll have to go back and catch up with everyone another time. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL! More family tomorrow. Then a busy week with work. Talk to y'all soon... I hope!!!!

Fanny, you look amazing! 'Course I thought you did BEFORE surgery! Congrats again! I'm so glad you're feeling so great! Wonderful!! Blessed Christmas to you!

Hey Y'all! Kat, thanks for the recipes. I'll have to tone down the heat tho. DD doesn't like a lot anymore. This from the kid who used to scoop salsa out of the bowl with her hand at the Mexican place we go to all the time! I can't eat their salsa! It's too hot!! Laura, I didn't know they made FROZEN Pirogues! I'll have to look for them. I've never tried them before. Tracy, I'm so sorry you're in pain! Feel better soon! Irene, I'll say an early congrats on the job stuff and pray it all goes thru! Let me know when you can what it's all about! How exciting! WhooHoo on your sweet spot!!!! Jenn, recipe for your ham & cheese soup, please! I cook like you and Kat do. I'm always changing things up or substituting or throwing things together b/c I think it might work. Usually does. I've had some doozies but I've also had way more successes! I love to cook! Can't stand to bake tho! LOL! Too precise! I don't know enough to be able to throw it together and have it come out well. Welcome to our newbies!! Just jump right in! ~~~~~ Had my ultrasound today. Went well except for drinking too much water. I was miserable! Got the shopping done for DD. I'll be wrapping it all and whatever other gifts we have tomorrow while she's at school. I even remembered to buy special, "Santa" paper for the gifts from Santa. Staff party tonight was nice. Food was all good, as usual! I'm headed to bed. I'm exhausted. Was up til 2AM then DD got up at some point and wanted me to put her back to bed. Going to have to take some liquid Tylenol. My legs ache. Hate that! Have a great Tuesday!

I'm here, Kat! Thanks for checking on me. I posted a quick drive-by yesterday but it probably got lost! LOL! Kat, DH works for the State, not a city department. We have a huge thing here for Toys for Tots so DH and I always do that. This year we got DD involved in buying the gifts. We do that first before we buy for family. Then we also throw in a check so they can buy for the age groups needed. Trying to teach DD about giving to others, especially those in need. Things are tight for us but we're in good shape. There are lots of families here who aren't. Our grocery store also does food bags for the local pantry. You can "buy" a bag of groceries for only $10! The store fills the bags and it's usually worth a lot more than the $10. We try to do a bag every time we go shopping. I could give directly to the pantry but it actually goes further by doing it thru the grocery store. Kat, can I have some of your recipes? Please? The beans that you made the other night for one. I'm not sure what red chili is unless it's the chili w/out beans kind. I'd like that one too. Also, the green chili thing you made today that Rick was getting in to. I have a seldom used crockpot and I love beans. I've just never mastered them. I want to cook more beans! I hear people say they "put a pot of beans on" but I have no idea what that really means! Suzanne, my best wishes and lots of prayers and hugs for you! I'll be with you in spirit tomorrow! Jenn, sounds like the job is good. You sound tired and frazzled tho. Are you still trying to get back in to a schedule? Tracy, good luck with the house stuff. I'm sure it will all work out the way it's supposed too. Hi to EVERYONE! ~~~~~ Been working on the blankets for the Veterans. Got 3 done. I still need yarn for the 4th. Taking a break for the holidays before I start another one. I want to work on blankets all year for the Vets and maybe I can turn in a whole bunch for next Christmas. I'm having a problem w/my corners curling tho. I'm going to have to find help on that. We're all fine. I'm having a hard time sleeping. I went to bed last night. Slept for a bit then was awake and restless. Finally just got up. Went back to bed about 3, then DD woke up about 4 when she fell out of bed. There's not enough room for her w/all the stuffed critters she has w/her! Then I was awake again around 5 and again around 6 and again around 7. Finally gave up and got up just before 8. I fell asleep in my chair this afternoon for over an hour! Never did make dinner. We just fended for ourselves instead! I just started taking Melatonin to see if I can get my body back in sync. I'm going to take 2 tonight and see if that helps more. The one isn't working as well as it should. We'll see. Had DD's Children's Christmas Program at church this AM. Too cute! DD did great! And of course, as is my usual, I left the damn camera at home! :willy_nilly: Oh well. Tomorrow night is the staff/counsel party at work/church. Got a sitter and I'm making some shrimp thing. DH and I will have a nice time. I'm headed to the city in the early afternoon for a pelvic ultrasound. Fun, fun, fun! NOT!! Afterwards I'll go finish shopping for DD. DH is helping in DD's class Tuesday so while they're gone, I'll wrap everything we have so far. WE still have a little shopping to do but most of it is done! Then we get to figure out dinners for Christmas day at the station and Christmas w/his family at our house the 27th. Well, I'm off. Have a great night everyone!

Just stopping by real quick to say hi. Finished a THIRD blanket last night for the Veterans and I need to run in to town to drop them off. Pouring rain here and have been hoping it will let up some, but not looking like it. I'll be back when I have more time to post.

Fantastic news, Fanny! I'm so glad everything went well. Been thinking of you all week. Finally finished the blankets that I was working on. I ended up with THREE! The deadline is this afternoon so they can get distributed next week. I've decided to keep making blankets all year for this project. I think it's important. These are our Veterans and they've been institutionalized and forgotten by whatever family they have left. There are a few that have active family but most don't. It's sad. Making a few blankets costs me nothing compared to what they've been thru. It's pouring rain here. We had snow and freezing temps earlier in the week. Snow is all gone now with the rain. We got down to 19 degrees, which hasn't happened in a few years. The snow lasted a few days b/c once it stopped snowing, it FROZE! Now with the warmer rain, all gone! I hope everyone is having a wonderful day!

Hi! Jen, I hope today went wonderfully well! Nice, quiet Thanksgiving/weekend. Today we started cleaning and re-arranging the living room to get the tree in. Not sure when we'll get the tree. Saturday was my 22nd wedding anniversary. DH was at work and we haven't decided if we're doing anything or not! LOL! See what happens when you get lazy! Been MIA b/c I'm working on 2 laprobes for the Vets program. the gal who takes care of it for our area is short on donations of blankets so I'm trying to get 2 knocked out by the 12th. Went and got more yarn today to s tart another one. I don't have enough yarn for the one I started, it's on order, so thought I'd get the other one done while I'm waiting for the other yarn. Better get back to it! Talk to y'all later!

I can't believe it's nearly surgery time! Seems like you were just talking about getting started with it! Time flies! How did the un-fill go? I'm not sure you have to worry about it too horribly much. Seems you'll work harder to NOT go crazy if only BECAUSE you are so worried about it. Best wishes for you for the week. check in when you can and let us know how you're doing. How wonderful that DD was home! We usually do another turkey too. This year WE were doing the turkey so we had plenty! There is still another one in the freezer for later tho! LOL! ~~~~~ Been MIA lately b/c I'm working on crocheting laprobes. There is a program called Laprobes for Vets and the local gal that does it for our area is having a hard time getting enough. She needs a minimum of 60 and she says she doesn't have that many yet. Usually she has over 100 donated to give away but not this year. May see if I can find some fleece blankets on sale some where too and add those to the pile. I'm trying to get 2 laprobes done by the 12th. We'll see! Hope everyone has a great week!

Hi! I hate family drama! Sorry it's going on for some of you! Jen, congrats on the new job! So exciting! Dinner tomorrow w/DH at the station. DD is all excited! She thinks it's fun to eat there. We don't do it very often so it's a real treat. My mom will be coming in later in the day/evening. She'll be here til Sunday. We'll see extended family Friday. Saturday will be relaxing and a little shopping. There is an alpaca farm in the area and they have a store that is open now on Saturdays for the holiday season. I've never been and so we're going to go Saturday. There is also a craft fair up at the lake village that we may go to as well. We'll see. I hope everyone has a Blessed Thanksgiving! 'Night!

Hi Kristen!!! Miss you too! Come back!!! That is so cool!! I got to meet Kristen (krtork) back in September! So neat. Wish I could've spent more time with her. Irene (Diva) lives sorta near my mom and sometimes comes to my area for work stuff so I'm hoping we can hook up sometime. I think it's both scary and fun to meet people you talk to all the time on the internet! LOL! ~~~~~ I hope everyone has a Blessed Thanksgiving! DD and I will have dinner w/DH at the station. He goes to work tomorrow. My mom is coming in later in the day/evening. Should be a nice weekend! Have a great night!

Hi everyone! Finally felling better. Still have gunk in my chest and will for awhile. That's just how it works with me. Unfortunately. Kat, there is no bloody reason for Kinsey to go to that funeral! What the heck would be the point? And WHY would you WANT to take a young child to a funeral in the first place? I understand there are times for that but this is NOT one of them! Your spider story cracked me up! So sorry about Rick. Hope he's feeling better soon! Tracy, bummer about the house. I love your attitude about it. And he may just be calling you after the first of the year once reality hits him in the head hard enough! Jen, congrats on the job interview!! Best wishes for the morning! Suzie, hang in there with the eating thing. Don't beat yourself up. Just try to do better. It's all any of us can do. Laura, I got bitten by the creative bug! I bought yarn the other day and crocheted a little scarf for DD and have started a lap robe that I'll donate to a needy Vet. The local yarn shop is part of a program called Laprobes for Vets, so I'm taking my pitiful one stitch I know and making one. I under-estimated the amount of yarn I need tho so I have to go buy more! Next I'm going to crochet a wide scarf/shawl for me. I'm too cold all the time now! I know I'm missing people! Sorry! This week is going to be a busy one! Work, grocery shopping, cooking, school, cleaning, cleaning, cleaning!! UGH!!! Have a great Monday!

Finally feeling better! Still have gunk but I will for awhile. That's just how it works with me. LOL about the spiders! The only ones I get worried about are the Black Widows! The tiny town just south of us actually has a yearly Tarantula festival! They're pretty prominent around here. Fanny, your place is looking great! Good job on the furniture! Don't ya just LOVE allen wrenches?! NOT!! Hate those things! Paula, how are you feeling? Hanging in there? Spirits seem good. Kat, love your new-found energy. I'm with Rick, I think it's definitely b/c you got fired! NO MORE STRESS!!! It ends up translating thru your entire life! Evil stuff! Ebony, I'm sorry you're still having problems at work. Best wishes for a new job! Plain, sounds like work is working out well? Bummer about the cut to LBT time but thank goodness you still have a job!! Didn't sound good the way things were going before the new position. Tap, where are you??!! Hi to Brandy, Donna and Cindy!! It's going to be a busy week! Have a great Monday!

Tina, sounds like things are going wonderfully! I'm so thrilled. Good for you for getting an attorney! "Serves" him right! LOL! Okay it wasn't THAT funny! :thumbup: Good job nipping the weight gain in the bud and getting back on track! WTG! Take good care and enjoy! Hugs!!!

Kat, sounds like you had a great trip. Sorry about the snake but I wouldn't have let it stop me from sleeping there... I think!!! LOL! Hi Cindy! Ebony, so do you have a pretty new bike? Hi Tap! Hi Plain! Still sick. Still love my hair. Going to bed soon. Have a great Tuesday!

Hi. Checking in. Still sick. Kat, glad you're home. Congrats on getting fired today! Jen, hike sounds fun. Suzie, prayers are with you. Hi to everyone. Hardly ever use coupons. :w00t: They never have any for stuff we buy. Or, as what happened this Sunday, save 20 cents but only if you buy TWO! NOT! We don't go thru the stuff fast enough and we have no storage for the stuff that would last, like mayo. DH did use one today when he went shopping. It was for medicine. I didn't have to buy TWO! And saved a DOLLAR! Coupons drive me nuts! Off to bed soon. Everyone else is already down. DD had trouble. I went ahead and let her fall asleep on me on the couch. I just tucked her in again. Hopefully she'll stay asleep tonight. Have a good night y'all.

Have a great weekend! Glad you checked in Tap. It's feeling lonely in here lately! I keep thinking I need to get up and DO something but I just have NO energy! Maybe later!

Good morning! Oh. I just looked at the clock. Good AFTERNOON! Tracy, love the new do! Happy b-day to your mom! Jen, glad you had fun last night! Great plan re: the Y. ~~~~~ I really need to get my butt moving but I'm still too sick. Just can't get very far before I'm toast. :thumbup: I really just HATE being sick!!!!!!! :cool2: I hope everyone has a great day! BBL!

OF COURSE!!! I just said that cause it's just pretty much been Misty and I lately! So welcome aboard!! I'm glad you're still here, tutornmom. Even if you can't make it to check in often! That's okay, jump in when you can! Isn't wonderful how we don't have to stress about gaining so much during the holidays anymore? I mean, even if we over-indulge, it's not anywhere near what it used to be. And if there are pounds gained, it's also not near what it used to be either! Such a relief! Have a great weekend!!

Hi! Welcome justiceaim1! I had all these notes I was going to write to everyone and now I can't remember a darn thing! UGH! We'll see how I do: Suzie, I hope you're okay. Jenn, hang in there. Tracy, slow down! LOL! Laura, sorry about MIL. Bummer about the yarn, sounds like a nice blanket. Irene, Hi! Shalee, congrats on your bandiversary and your accomplishments since banding! WTG!!! ~~~~~ This bronchitis is lingering. Figures. It usually does. I will do okay in the AM after I've gotten up and gotten "everything" moving but if I do anything, by afternoon, I'm toast and ready for a nap! The ladies at church had their holiday boutique, lunch, cookie walk, thing today so we went for a couple of hours. I'm sitting here trying not to fall asleep now. Just wears me out to DO anything! :wink: Totally loving my hair! Washed it for the first time this AM and all I did was towel dry it and run my fingers thru it and I was done! And my hair was nearly dry! Well, we need to figure out what we're having for dinner tonight. I couldn't care less what it was. DH is getting tired of trying to figure it out every night. Now he's getting a taste of what I deal with when trying to plan meals! Better go. I hope everyone has a good night and a good weekend! TTFN!

Sheesh! Where the heck is everyone?! Thanks for the hair compliments. I'm loving it! Washed it this AM for the first time and got out of the shower, towel dried it, ran my fingers thru it and was done and it was nearly dry! So fast! Still feeling like crap tho. I just want to get better already! I hate bronchitis. It can linger for weeks with me. Was feeling okay this AM and we went to our church for the ladies had their holiday lunch, boutique, cookie walk thing. Good as always. We were there a couple of hours and I was whooped! Ready for bed again! We need to figure out what the heck we're doing for dinner tonight. I have no clue and really could care less. Poor DH is tired of trying to figure it out! Gee! Now he knows how I feel when he says he doesn't know or doesn't care! HA!!! Well, I hope everyone is doing well. Have a great weekend!

WTG, Misty! Looks like it's just the 2 of us. That's okay, we'll support each other! Start: 179 Current: 176.6 Goal: 170 Pretty pleased so far. I've been pretty sick so I tend to eat/want junk and I drink lots of orange juice and tea. Still working on getting over this bronchitis. I was supposed to get a fill yesterday but postponed it til Tuesday. If I'm still not better, I'll put it off again. With bronchitis I've got a lot of mucus and don't want to take the chance of getting too tight right now. I'm close to my sweet spot so I need to be careful. Have a great week, Misty!

Thanks, Laura! I was nervous about posting pics but did it before I could talk myself out of it! LOL! Thanks, Plain. How's the job stuff going? Well, I hope! ~~~~~ The ponytail that we cut off and I'm sending to Locks of Love is 14.5 inches long! That wasn't ALL of it b/c he left a couple of inches to be able to work with it as he cut and shaped it! I had A LOT of hair! :tongue_smilie: My head and neck, literally lifted and he finished cutting the ponytail off! I could feel the weight lifted off! I was shocked. I am absolutely loving this! Still feel horrid and am exhausted. I'm going to finish my tea and go to bed early. Have a great night!