Charlene K

When I was a kid my parents did the same thing. My dad would take us looking at lights while my mom would write out a check to Santa and wait for him to arrive. We bought it hook, line, and sinker. We would come home an hour or so later and all the toys would be under the tree. Then we opened gifts too. Then when I married and had children we waited for Santa for Christmas Day, but we opened gifts on Eve. When my kids suspected there wasn't a Santa I told them that when they no longer believed Santa wouldn't come......so the believed for a long, long time. I told my grandkids the same thing. So, that tradition continues. The spirit of Santa lives on.

Apples, we had traditions years ago, but as the family has grown to 25plus......we do good to just make sure we get together at Christmas. My mother always made all of us cheese balls and chex mix for Christmas. Now, I do it. I swore last year I wasn't going to make it, but my kids look forward to it as one of their gifts. We always had Christmas on Christmas Eve, but as the kids divorced, now we settled on the one day no one wants........Christmas Day! It's ALL GOOD! We are Blessed!

Joiful, sounds like you not only have a defective band , but you are under a lot of stress. It is really hard to lose under those conditions. I hope you can get your band problem solved. I am so sorry you mother has dementia. I took care of my aunt with dementia for five years. Everyday was a new day. One day she knew me, the next she thought she was back in the forties and I was my mother. It is tough. I am the one with Fibromyalgia. Now, who do I go to for treatment with light? When the weather changes, I hurt so bad. The weather has been warmer and sunny so the last two days have been great. I hope it stays this way through Christmas. I am starting on a medication this weekend that is supposed to help.

it is our year for goal! Go 2010!

Janet........I have an embroidery/sewing machine. Just still have two more names.......I got hung up on one of my Christmas Movie favorites. Great news on the knee. I hope you stay pain free.

Janet...........just checking in. I broke down and made Texas Trash (chex mix) for the kids. Then I made a new mix on the back of the Cinamon Chex. It is 100cal a serving. I made it in the microwave and it was good stuff. Snickerdoodle Mix. Hopefully, I can start walking again. The weather finally has cleared. What was our rain is now snow on the east coast. I hear Florida is getting the rain too. Lori, I am glad you are home and doing good. Sometime when you itch it is the medication. If you don't feel right be sure and call the doctor. Okay, back to sewing. My daughter and I have embroidered names on a dozen bath sheets and put ribbon on them and the washcloths. She is putting them with shower gel for her neices and nephews. How I got hooked into this........well.........you know"MOM can you help me"? I have enjoyed the bonding, and teaching her how to sew. Not to mention it keeps my mind off of FOOD. Okay, Gang, Take Care!

Thanks for the info. I went to the dr this past week and got a script for Savella. I decided to start it after Christmas because I did not want to deal with side effects and stress at the same time. I went to Hawaii two weeks ago and when I got into the 80 degree weather I did not have aching. It was so nice. I did have IBS in the high altitude plane ride, but I had Levsin to control it. I hope we keep this thread going because I need support. This stuff makes me crazy. I am tired of complaining to family in friends. I hope all of you have a Pain Free Christmas. Merry Christmas!

woohoo for you! Merry christmas!!!!!!!!!!

Girl, you just work on getting that knee healed. My husband was not hungry after his surgery and lost 40lbs. You will do fine. Your body is used to eating small amounts. Still praying for your recovery. Take Care! HUGS!

Lori, I am so glad you are doing so well. Take care! I prayed for you today. HUGS!

No problem...........LBT is my AA for band support. This journey is a day by day trip. I need all the propping up I can get. My DH has lost as much as me, and he just had bypass surgery last July. Kinda ticks me off, but I am glad he is doing so well, and feels so good. Okay, 2010, is our year for Goal!!!!!!!!!!!

Janet, let us know how everything comes out. Prayers, Hugs, and love for you today! Lori, I hope you are doing well today. Praying for you a speedy recovery. HUGS!

Kimaly, reality is we are not those skinny people with metabolisms that burn 2000 a day. I told you that mine resting was 1300. In order to lose I have to stay under 1200 a day and exercise. Neither one is happening right now. Old habits die hard especially during the holidays. Eat what you want........just write it down and track it. If you eat too much......drink a protein shake for one of your meals. You just have to do whatever works for you. Just don't go back to gaining weight , and by all means have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Vent away..........that is what this place if for. I went to the doctor today and got me the H1N1 shot. I was concerned it was a live virus, but the shot is not live......only the nasal spray. She said none of her patients have gotten sick from the shot. I didn't even get yucky feeling like I do with the regular flu shot. Anyway, I got something for this Fibromyalgia. I am gonna start it this weekend. Oh, I blew my eating today.............I went out this evening for Mexican Food. I ate cheese enchiladas........well, one enchilada and a tablespoon of guacamole. I love that stuff. It is my weakness. Okay, back on track tomorrow!

Meredith, You look Fabulous! Congrats!

Apples, in Texas we call the chex mix "trash" or maybe it is a family thing. We put everything , but the kitchen sink in it I use a box of rice chex, wheat chex, and now I buy two boxes of cheezit party mix, and cashews and pecans. I mix a stick or so of butter, few tablespoons of worceteshire(sp), garlic powder, season salt, tobasco.....simmer then pour it over the mix which I put in a turkey roasting pan. Make sure it is coated and then put it in the oven in two 9x13 pans at 250 for an hour or so. I stir it every 30 minutes. Sometimes I use bacon drippings too. I am sure everyone has their own twist on chex mix. My kids just think I make the best.

Hi Joann, we missed you! Glad you are back. Down here Tamales can be found every few blocks in town. I am an enchilada person. Polenta......never ate it, but if it is anything like cornbread I would love it. Apples, going out tomorrow to get ingredients for your recipes........well.....at least for the Cookies and fudge. Then I am going to make Trash(chex mix). My kids will be depressed if they don't get it for Christmas. It is just a tradition I can't stop. Lori, I will be praying for you tomorrow. You will do good.

Sounds yummy! I am a huge brown sugar and cinnamon fan. I will try it.

Oh Laura, I am sorry for the bad news. I prayed for your dad last night. I had such hope that MD could help him. I live right outside of Houston and the fog is unreal. I hope they take their time to leave. I will continue to lift you and your family up in prayer. HUGS for you today! OKay, Janet, I hate oatmeal too. I guess if you like these oats I will have to give them a try..........what is the brand name?

Kimaly............We can do this! .......weight loss that is. Right now I am going to the doctor on Wednesday to get a medicine for Fibromyalgia. I hope I don't have side effects. I think she is starting me on Savella. I know Lyrica makes people gain weight so I surely don't need that one. Girl, this weather change everyday is keeping me hurting all night long. Tylenol helps, but only for a short time. I heard this stuff was painful, but I had know idea it was that bad. It is like a migraine of the body. I ache like the flu, and I have IBS. My adhesions sting in my abdomen. Okay, enough venting. Thanks for the support so my family doesn't have to hear me whine all the time. I wish I had the money to move to Hawaii and not have to deal with the weather. I did not have one pain in the warm weather. Oh well, our weather is good from March till September..........come on March!

I think you will do even better with this knee because you have a good knee to stabilize you. My husband had a much easier time with his second surgery. Lori , I will be praying for you. I know having surgery at Christmas is a bummer......been there, but it is also a good excuse to sit back and enjoy it while others help. Take Care! Don't overdo on that job. Your health is more important.

Me too. I don't like Jim Carey movies......and only Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation. I can't believe that movie is 20 years old. Okay, back to sewing......check in tomorrow.

Christmas Vacation!!!!!!!!!!! One of my favs! The weather was in the 50's today so I had a pain free day. Yea! Well, gotta get ready to embroider again tonight. My daughter has nine beach towels to monogram for Christmas and we have six more to go. Sewing keeps me from snacking at night .........so this is a good thing.

In microwavable bowl: 1 can sweetened con milk 2 Tbls butter Let come to a boil in microwave and boil for 2 min. Add 1 bag white choc chips and 1 cup mini marshmallows. Add 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice and stir. I use a small little scoop to put the filling in the cups. The kind with the little thingy that swipes across. Got that???? After filled sprinkle just a dusting of ground nutmeg. These keep well in frig. __________________ What size cups........cupcake cups or candy cups?

Yes, it was great! I did gain 4lbs, but I have lost 3 of them. I realized on my trip that I don't need another fill, I need to fill my time with something other than food. After a year and a half I am learning to eat slower. Everything I learned in nurtrition class is finally clicking. And I am more realistic about my goal. I plan on losing 25lbs next year.