Charlene K

Lori, I go by MEME. It is what my DD wanted the first grandchild to call me. How about LALA? my friend's name is Gail and she goes by GAGA!!!!! Your daughter may have the last say in your name.

Hi gang! The "meet the parents" went very well, My DS's girlfriend's parents and sister drove all day from Arkansas. Her brother and his partner drove from Oklahoma City. This is the first time they all have been todgether in years. GF is active Air Force so she is usually off on assignment somewhere. Now she is assigned to the U of H directing the ROTC. My son was such host. He bought fajitas, guacamole, Beans, rice, cheese enchiladas and tortillas. Of course you know I brought the sweets. Yes, I ate cake! Janet, I am doing like you and Cheri.......I have designated carb days. I am staying Protein and carb free with the exception of berries in my Protein drinks. I won't indulge until Christmas Day. Cheri, I know I shouldn't lol at some of the things you tell us, but you are funny. My DH is a quiet guy too. Most of our friends just love him because he is a calm quiet person. I just wish he like to go places more. I am trying to book a cruise on the new Carnival Magic next December. It leaves on Dec 18th for Belize. We will miss Christmas here, but we can do Thanksgiving and Christmas together. I will make it an off year for a Christmas gathering. Gathering once a year is plenty anyway. Lori, see, you are a hostess with the mostess!!!! I think Apples has a good idea. You need to start having small gatherings with the women. You will gain your confidence. Congrats! on the dinner party. Apples, I am glad you got to go to church today. We had baptisms again so I stood up front and passed out towels. Now I am washing them. I love my little jobs. Anyway, the sermon was on bitterness. Yikes! How the root of bitterness starts......what the bible says......and how we can heal. Of course my SIL came to mind. I really have to work on that even though I am at peace about not seeing her for awhile. Sndy......sounds like you had an awesome time with DH. Are you on vacation? Phyl.......stay safe in CA. I heard they were going to have some bad weather. Melissa....take care! Joyce.....want to hear about your Christmas dinner with family. Janet......gotta get back to Dollar Tree....Ds had me wrap his gifts yesterday and took some of my bags and bows. CHOO!!!!!! CHOO!!!!!!

Good Afternoon Gang! Dh and I ate Breakfast. I ate a quarter of an omlette . Anyway, then we came home and DS called to say make some dessert for the dinner tonight. I made two kinds of Cookies and then my fav......Pecan Pie Cake. That thing is so easy......better than pecan pie. I also make these little candies, small twisted pretzel, hershey kiss, and a M&M. Melt the kiss on the pretzel at 200 degree oven . When the kiss is soft take them out and put a m&m on it. I put them in the frig so they would get hard real quick. Yep, I had on pretzel and a small taste of the cake. I forgot to eat lunch, but we are having Fajitas for dinner. All Protein for me tonight....maybe just a dab of guacamole. We are off the Meet the Parents. I'll check in later! Lori.......best wishes...on the dishes!!!!! Melissa, it could be adhesions. They tend to bloat my gut when I do a lot of moving around and I am anxious. It always go down during the night. Go to the dr if it does not subside!!!!

I just finished my last batch of Texas Trash. I put a teaspoon of Tobasco in it.....spicy!!! While it was in the oven I wrapped all my Christmas gifts......you guessed it...bags.... just too many people in the family now to sit and wrap. Dollar Tree has awesome gift bags for a buck and huge bows 2 for a 1.00. I went yesterday. You would have thought it was Black Friday at Walmart. The checkout goes fast because it is all a buck. I just wish I had bought more tins. Okay peeps, I have to finish my Christmas cards. Cheri....you still on the train today?

Christmas is kinda depressing for us this year - thank goodness we have Aylah but both DSS and DSD are treating us so badly and we long for an old fashioned Christmas -- wish I could have spent it with my DS or my sister or brother and their families. I will cook a nice meal and of course, Aylah will have a great Christmas but it's tough to be in the giving spirit with the other two. Not complaining -- just allow me this one time to whine a bit about it. Thanks. I'm done now. Linda, I didn't eat a cup, but after the batches I taste......so I just count all of it together as a cup. I am so sorry your kids are being butts. That sucks at Christmas. We have had a few of those years. Right now we are good with all of them. Now that doesn't mean they like each other, but they will get along on Christmas Day. We don't see my DH's family since his parents died.......their choice. Well, I am glad my SIL doesn't come around. I told you she went to rehab for pain killers. Now she thinks everything is Okay with us. Oh, I forgive, but who wants to stick their hand on a burner twice....you know what I mean. I know what you mean about the pouch test. When I was on the Protein shake thing my pouch really shrunk. I am still going to see the Dr on the 30th to talk about my weight management. Did I tell you that Dr. Davis is going to start taping for a new show that will air on Lifetime? The taping is in Spring. It must be showing in the fall. They asked patients to volunteer to tell their story. It should be interesting.

Dang it! I stopped at the station. I made Texas Trash ( hot chex mix) for all my kids and a few neighbors. I have to taste it. It has to just right or I won't give it out. Texas Trash is 10pts on the WW list. I guess it was only a cup. I am making chicken enchilada tonight. I make it low carb and low fat. Lori, your dinner will be Marvelous!!!! You are such a gracious person. No worries!!! Apples, I know you have an awesome Sunday planned. What did you buy puppa? My DS came over to pick-up his son for a long weekend. DS's girlfriend's parents are coming in late tonight. YAY! It's going to be a Meet the Parents tomorrow night. My DS is catering fajitas from an awesome Mexican food place. I just wish they were announcing that they are getting married, but I am not holding my breath. I know we will have a good time. I guess I better get back to the Texas Trash. I have two more batches to make. I need at least 20-3 cup servings. I have really cut back this year. They used to get a half gallon bag. Ingredients are just getting so expensive, but it is a tradition my mother started. I will pass it on when I can no longer do it. Choo! Choo!!!!

Joyce.......have a great Christmas dinner with the family. Sorry about the Water aerobics. There is one instructor that is high intensity. I don't go when she instructs. We still have a trainer. I haven't been in a couple of weeks. DH has been going. I never have used an eliptical. My trainer said it is awesome for exercise. Lori, our lawn guy charges 25 bucks a week. We only use him once a month in the winter. Laura, that is a bummer that mothers don't show to help. It seems like that has always been a problem. It happened back in the day too. How's the rash? Meredith. I have used that Pasta. It is good and healthy, but I really don't eat pasta.....that's a sticker for me.

Good Morning Gang! Wow! My yard does not need mowing, but the yard guy was out at 7:15 mowing and trimming the yard. Ya think he wants his Christmas Bonus? I gave it to him. He is so nice and has three small children. This is a slow time of year for him. Those are the people I like to help. Speaking of that. Does anyone know where is can get my friend the best price for a pair of bifocals? Sears has a coupon right now, but she won't be out of rehab in time to use it. Also, I don't know if Medicare helps with glasses. I guess I just need to do some calling today. Joyce are you okay? I haven't seen you post in a while. Jessica.....congrats on the grades! Cheri and Lori and Melissa........Choo! Choo! I jumped on the train this morning. I don't plan making any stops today. lol

I can't believe I just had to login again.....what's up with that? Anyway, I went to see my friend, it was a nice visit and another friend showed up. Yep, we went out to eat. Fell off the wagon. I had some of those onion strings....you know .....the fried ones at Chilis. Then I ate two ribs......that's not bad, but the fried onions were not good. I guess you would say I stopped at the station too long. I will be chugging along tomorrow. I had not seen this friend for six months. We had not talked about our dramas for a while. Seems like her SIL had run her company for a number of years and must have thought he was entitled to their business. So he started his own business (same kind as theirs) while working for them. He ran their business into terrible debt......then resigned and opened his own office. Yes, it is a crime..... they no longer speak to their daughter or the SIL, but the good news is they have pulled themselves out of debt and their business is still going strong. My friend that had the stroke is walking the halls now. Her blood sugar is running between 80-190. At least it is coming down. Sorry I did not read all the posts. I will check in tomorrow.........HUGS! to all!!!

Fast reply.....lol Lori, it is an indoor pool, but it was freaking cold this morning. A lot peeps didn't show. I bet is it cuz the pool has been cold. Brrrr!!!! I had to keep moving. Are you on the train today? I had chicken for lunch. Choo! Choo!!!!

Good Morning Gang! I am still on that Protein train today. I had turkey sausage patties(2).....well pups had one of them. Now I am off the Water aerobics.....Lori, for real, I am going! Linda, I like eating 4ozs of meat on a bed of lettuce. It is more filling for me. Where as some many people get stuck on it......it actually helps me get the meat down. Swan........Good for you! Yep, straight protein takes the hunger way down. Remember that when you get hungry after the band is in place. Protein really helps control the hunger. Laura.....so sorry about your rash. I clicked on the site, but I didn't see it. I will try again. Apples.....missing that green post......need my green post fix! Phyl.....I did not know you were leaving. Going home for Christmas? Janet.....glad your tummy is better! Melissa.......soak those feet when you get home! Okay, I am off to the gym.......then babysitting the 2 yr old DGD. The three month old has a UTI and needs to go to a follow up today. They even want to do an ultrasound. I am going to see my friend that had a stroke . She is about fifty miles from here. I will check in this evening.

Linda, so good to hear from you. Thanks for sharing the counselor's advice. I love it. I would like to think of it as serving me a big pile of dog poop. JUST SAY NO!!! Don't even get close enough to smell it. lol My DD and DGD are trying to serve me up their drama. I keep pointing them both to God. So, they haven't called in a few days. When it is a money issue they want me to play god and dish out the dough. Nope.....they need to pray about it. Lesson learned. Cheri, Boy, if I tasted chocolate......this train would run out of steam or hit a log jam. I have to stay away from it.....trigger food. It sounds like you did well today. WTG! Melissa, I bet those dogs are tired today. A hot bath is definitely in order. Hang in there! Time for Protein shake. I am using my old menu from when I was on the Protein Shake diet. Protein shake......chicken......coffee w/ Protein Drink in it.......chicken/with green salad.......protein shake with two strawberries. See I am using the tools I learned from nutrition class. Oh, the almonds were okay too. Choo! Choo!

If nuts count as falling off.......then I fell off too. I have had a headache all day. It is a sharp pain around my eye and cheek. It must be my sinuses. Once again, the weather has change from cold and dry to mild and humid. UGH! I guess the ole FM decided to attack my head today. Oh well, it will be gone tomorrow. Julie, I am so so so glad you are getting relief. I pray this dr is on the right track with you. HUGS! Lori, so you stopped at the station and had popcorn. One day at a time. You did cut back......that is a victory! Happy Birthday to DH!!!! Well, I am going in the kitchen and slice off some chicken breast I bought in the Deli at Walmart. I may have to put it on a green salad to make it feel like dinner. Later peeps!

Good afternoon gang! I went for my yearly check-up......the works. Dr said my bone scan was excellent. She said the walking and Water aerobics were paying off. Now I only need to get the dreaded colonoscopy in a few months. UGH! I came home and ate chicken. I think I will have a Protein Drink when I get off of here. Tonight I plan to have chicken again and a Protein shake. Choooooo.....Chooooo!!!!

Meredith, salad is so healthy. My doctor recommends salad. I told my DH we should eat more salad. He told me that those competitive eaters stretch their stomachs before competition by eating salad. Just chew, chew, chew. Too much of a good thing can also not be good for the pouch. Watch your portions. Choo! Choo!.......I am catching the Protein train today. I am fasting this morning. I should be eating around 11am. CBL.

Melissa, yes, my mother has ingrown eyelashes removed every six weeks. They scratch her eyes. I think it is caused by the glaucoma drops. It is the same ingredient used in the new drops to grow eyelashes. After seeing what has happened to my mother I would never use them to make my eyelashes longer. She has to use the drops to keep the pressure down in her eyes.

Cheri, I hope that includes protein drinks. I have to fast tomorrow morning for blood work. I am going to down a protein drink when I get out of the doctors office.

Cheri and Lori, I'm in for tomorrow........protein day! Cheri, you are right about the carb addiction. I go along doing so good then I start eating carbs.......before you know it I am off the bandwagon. I have no plans of eating out or going to Christmas gatherings this week. This is a good time to gear up for Christmas Day. I have to do this One Day at a Time. I still can stay on WW and do only protein. Lets share our eating tomorrow evening.

Well, I am back from my mother's. Got her eyelashes removed. Her eye dr wants her to go back to the neurologist-opthomalogist (sp) . There is no physical reason her vision should have become worse. It could be her heart medicine too. Hopefully that will get changed. The medicine she takes for her heart can cause blindness. I am too tired to take the kids to Santa. We are going to do it tomorrow. Apples, you don't have to be blood kin to be a grandma. Your "mom" was closer to you than your mother. Those kids love you. Own it......Grandma!!!! My DS's new girlfriend has two kids. I bought them the same thing I bought my g-kids. Hey, if they are not here next year they know I loved them. Lori, it is Desert Rose......the pinkish pattern you saw. That was the other pattern that was popular. I heard that costco has more upscale merchandise than Sam's. We have a couple of them, but they are not close by.....meaning they are over 20 miles away. I want to check one out. Kelly, congrats on the lb! Snacks......hmmmm.....low carb yogurt..... Mozzarella sticks...... Boiled eggs.....sf pudding......protein shake. Oh yes, 100 calorie popcorn.

Good Morning Gang! I am up early to get ready for the day. I have to take my mom to the doctor. Then on to get the two DGDS and go see Santa for a picture. I will miss my WW meeting. I know I haven't gained, but did I lose? I'll know when I weigh at WW. I have to see if they have another meeting this week. Laura, I just loved the pictures of Nels and the class. Oh, I wish we had beautiful beaches like Florida. I hope you get to the bottom of your rash problem. I also became very allergic to stuff when I was going through menopause. It just sends the body in chaos for a while. Take care of yourself! Lori, Google Sculptured Apple by Franciscan .....you will remember then. Everyone had a set back in the day. Phyl, I wish I could have been with you and Janet. You two are a riot when you get together. Cheri, yep, I call it OPP......Old Peoples Problems.......Hey, I have a few of those too. Meredith, I must have missed the post.......what is the doctor recommending for your band? Tx......are you doing ok? Eva......This time of year is busy,......enjoy your visit! Joyce.....are you still doing Water aerobics. We do have an indoor pool at the gym, but they have been having thermostat problems. I have been a little concerned that it will be too cold right now so I did not go. Apples......how's the weather today? Janet......did you get the Laura Geller special? Okay, gang.......gotta get in gear for the day. My mother needs groceries too so I am the grocery man, the banker, the driver. Busy day......talk tonight!

Julie, I am so glad your docs are paying attention. I hope you get relief soon. Lori, the Franciscan Apple pattern is an old pattern. I don't know when the first ones were made, but my MIL's are from the fifties and sixties. My aunt got her's in the forties. Melissa, you already sound so much happier at the new PT job. Good for you! Janet, where are you tonight? I am taking my mother tomorrow to the eye doctor. Time to get the ingrown eyelashes removed. I think they are going to dilate her eyes too for a retina check. I'll check in tomorrow. Goodnight!

Great, I love them! Are they heavy? My MIL gave me her Franciscan Sculptured Apple many years before she died. It is just right for me. I don't remember if you wear Laura Geller makeup, but she is the Today's special on QVC. Yep, I bought it. She is my favorite. Janet, I know you like her too. Julie, what did the doctor say? I hope you get to feeling better soon.

I don't blame you for wanting to get out of that cold. You won't want to go back too soon. I would think AZ is the perfect weather. When I went to the Grand Canyon it was cold, but dry. Some people were even wearing shorts. They must have been from your neck of the woods. I loved the low humidity. Reminds me. I had a dream about Vegas. I don't remember what happened, but all of you were giving me all this advice. I must have eaten a piece of cheesecake and lost a lot of money. lol Hey, I think I did that. lol

Arlene, how's the Water? LOL Lori, I just couldn't bring myself to go. It was 31 this morning. I know that is warm to most of you, but that is COLD here. I am going walking this afternoon before it gets cold again. The weather is going to be in the 70's tomorrow. This is why I don't put away my summer clothes. Heck it may be in the 80's Chritmas Day. I went shopping and bought my friend some clothes to wear when she rehabs. She is in an inpatient rehab at a hospital closer to her home. She still has not walked. I hope she will take some steps this week. Then I babysat while my DD went to get gifts Monogrammed. I am getting ready to cook Crusted Honey Mustard chicken. You crust corn flakes for crust. The chicken breast is dipped in low fat honey mustard dressing. I have read the posts. I will CBL

Welcome Swan! I hope you are up for a lot of advice and tough love here. That is how we all stay on track. Have you started your pre-op diet? Get a pedometer and start walking. It will really help you heal after surgery........moving after surgery helps get rid of the gas. You will do great. I am so glad you have taken control of your weight issue before you get older. The band is a tool to help you lose. I is the magic pill that will fix all your weight problems. If you have questions there are plenty of seasoned banders here to help. Julie, you poor baby. I hope you get to the the rheumotalogist soon. That is a painful condition. Xanax helps calm the nerves. I sometimes take it when the weather is changing. I took it everyday for 10 years for my gut until my doctor sent me to a psychiatrist. I was having panic attacks caused by the Savella. Now I am on Lexapro and Savella (for FM). If you have an autoimmune condition the doctor will have to give you meds to treat the condition for you to get relief. I hope you get in soon to see him. HUGS! and I am praying for you too. Cher, so many hard decisions to be made for your parents. I think organizing and getting rid of their "stuff" they don't use would be a first step. I am going to go do that for my mother soon. So many of us at our age are dealing with the same issues. My inlaws were in the country when they both got cancer. He refused to move. They both died in the hospital so we didn't have to deal with moving them. My mother..... when she was still able moved to a retirement home . She will soon need to go to assisted living. That is why I need to start clearing out her "stuff". Can you sister who is the doctor talk to them? HUGS! for you and all of you faced with this ordeal. I am going to Water aerobics this morning. It is freezing outside, but I gotta exercise. I will CBL.