Mrs. Bubba

Hello.................. I've been away a couple days and you guys have been posting away.... Finally caught up reading again.... I've been very busy going here and there and having company and all that other stuff.... I had a nice nap after church today but now feel a bit groggy..... Our weather has calmed down and DH has us mostly blown out... some of our rental property still needs work, but he has time for that now tomorrow.. My shoulder is bothering me again, but not to the level it was... I'm disappointed that it has returned... I have to start ragging on the ins people tomorrow.... The holidays have been exhausting for me to some degree and I have not been able to eat right... My stomach rebels everytime I try to put meat in it... I end up eating cookies............ and I've lost weight..... Guess we can figure I'm not overly healthy right now... Maybe when things calm down I can get back to normal... Don't mind the weight loss, but know I'm not eating right... I love all the pictures... and am so happy to hear everyone has had a good holiday.. Melissa, glad you are okay; Laura.....so happy to hear your story about Dad and Nelson..... good decision to go... How is your DH doing?? Linda, you better take it easy, and you, too, Lori............ Don't overdo things... Apples, have fun today, your cake sounds great.... I know I've missed people,,,,, so sorry, but my head is drawing a blank now... Hugs to all.......... Have some company coming tonight for impromptu leftovers........... I warned them and they thought it sounded great.... Gotta try to get rid of some food.... I hate throwing it out.... TTYL............ Julie

Ho Ho Ho.........................blizzard with blowing snow........ DH is out trying to get our 4 wheel drive pick-up out of the garage so we can go over to DD's and watch Mimi open her presents from Mommy and Santa.... Then we are to go 5 miles out in the country to friends for dinner... We'll see how that goes..... My scale was down again this morning... I'm dropping weight but not trying.. It makes me confused..... Have a wonderful day, everyone.... Merry Christmas...

Well, I'm back afterall...... Church has been moved into town............. I'm sad, but glad that we are opting for safety.... This is to be one ugly storm..... So, that changes my supper plans and now we are doing an impromptu potluck at my brother's place for most of the family that is around.... I'm just going to take what I made and put it with his and we'll have a great time... Mother is happy.... We can open our presents when we get home later.... So, all is well.........different, but well.... Merry Christmas................ HoHoHo........

Okay, Janet, you missed another state................good old North Dakota........... And I'm in the center so we could all gather here sometime....... We'll have a great time.... Probably not in the winter, though...... April or May or September would be good..... Yup, friends all over is a nice thing..... someone to look up when you go traveling..... Well, we definitley have snow here this morning... and the worst is yet to come.... I'm afraid we won't be making it to our little country church if that happens... I've never missed church in my life on Christmas eve... But safe is the best... Talked to SD bro and his kids made it to their place.... 1 in college in Dickinson, ND and the other teaches in Hopkins, MN.... So, they are safe at least.... Arlene, loved your story.... Did you know the person or was it just a random delivery boy???? Apples, if you need ideas about what to do with DH for 3 days, just ask.... We'll all chip in an idea or two!!!!! Linda, I vote with the gang...... you have to come to FL.... But of course you have to do what you have to do.... Could we have your niece's phone number?????? Well, everyone this is probably my last post until either late tonight or tomorrow, so I want to take the opportunity to tell you all how special you are to me and to wish you the most blessed Christmas.... I hope you truely are blessed with the real meaning of Christmas and I know you are blessed with good friends.. May we all have a wonderful, safe, warm holdiday............... God Bless and keep you all.......... Julie

Hey there, Unfortunately my shoulder pain has reared its' ugly head again... Woke me up last night about 3:00 and kept me up..... I went down for a treatment on it right away this morning and it seems better now... Will see how tonight goes... I have been holding my breath that it will stay good...... I'm baking a homemade angel food cake right now.. DH just finished a batch of homemade vanilla ice cream.. Tomorrow night after church we will have supper here ... just us and DD and Mimi and Mom....and pastor and his wife... 7.... I'm making lasagna (nobody cares here, Apples!), lettuce salad, garlic toast, carmel apple salad and birthday cake and ice cream for dessert... It is a baby's birthday, after all........... DH just loves angel food..........me, too, for that matter... Mimi went to work with her mother today, so I have a day off... Is nice to sit here without worrying what she is up to.... We are getting hit with snow so DH is out trying to manage it.... The storm is to hit tonight... Apples, sounds like we are in about the same boat as you guys... Not sure my brother from SD will be making it home at all either... Eva you are so ambitious... I'm gonna clean my bathroom and dust a little... I don't get excited about family coming for get-to-gethers... I clean after they leave!!!! Your meal sounds wonderful.... have a great day.. Apples, sorry your plans are delayed... Wish you were closer, you could come with us to a day of fun..... Just got a call about a death in DH's family.... His cousin fell off a grain bin and was killed...... What a terrible time for something like this..... There's no good time, but at the holidays just always seems worse to me... So, gotta go find DH and we have to make a bunch of calls.... You all have a good evening and I'll hope to be back tomorrow........take care.............hugs to all........... Julie

Cheri, I read your first post about how your changing life had made traditions difficult to keep and that you had mixed feelings about Christmas and I just shook my head....... When I wrote my post about our traditions it was much longer than what you read.. I wrote about how I had such mixed feelings and that Christmas is a hard time for me... But I was a chicken and I deleted mine..... Your bravery is commendable.... I should have wrote what I was feeling.... So, yes, I'm sure there are more who have mixed feelings... But I'm sure that each of us finds a way to make Christmas the best we can and always put the Dear Christ Child first in our hearts and the rest falls into place.... I wish for you a wonderful Christmas with as many good moments as possible..... Merry Christmas, Cheri.... thanks for sharing..... Julie

Ufdah!!!!! so many posts...... But I made it through finally.. I've had a busy day, but got alot accomplished and am finally finished for the night.. Just took a batch of carmel corm out of the over.... It turned out quite well........ Traditionally I have always opened Christmas presents on Christmas eve AFTER we came home from church.. There is no Christmas without church here..... We travel out to our little country church and have a candlelight service that always ends with Silent Night.. Then home to hurry supper so we could open gifts.... Still do that to this day.... I already told you that I love to watch "White Christmas" sometime even if it's by myself... And one other thing we used to always do as a family out at my parents house when my brothers and their families were all there, too, was sing the"Twelve Days of Christmas" and each have a day..... My oldest neice is an opera singer and is working on her doctorate now.. After she got old enough she was the one to start it off.... One year when she was away at college and couldn't come home, we did it with her on speaker phone... Was lots of fun..... But that, too, has changed... When the kids get to having their own families things change........It happens to every generation.. We are in the middle of that right now, so never know for sure what will be..... I'm expecting my DD and Mimi and my mother for Christmas eve... Pastor and his wife will join us for supper and then he has to go do another service... Christmas day we got to friends for dinner... My family (brothers and etc) will be here on the 26th... Cheri, you picture is lovely... You are so close... How wonderful for you...... Apples, I still have the same New Year's resolution, too... I'm waiting for the day I don't have to make it either... Time to relax.... you all take care.... Julie

Hi everybody, sorry I didn't post today, but this head cold has me down..... DH has it, too, and we had Mimi from 10 - 6 today.... and she is still with a runny nose and a cough..... So, it was a rather unproductive day.... I'm tired and stuffed up and ready for some sleep.... Welcome to Happy and Shannon....... glad you are here and will look forward to getting to know you... Jewel, glad you're MIL is coming around... It should be so easy for her to support you... and it will help you so much if she is sensitive to your situation when it is her kitchen...... Apples, thanks for taking care of the new girls.... The rest of us must be slacking off...... glad you are on top of things.... Lori, you take care..... sorry you have to tackle to DMV in this condition..... I wish you all a restful sleep and a good night... Talk to you tomorrow, hopefully............ Julie

Morning, yup I'm here and just getting ready to go to church... I felt better yesterday, but today feel kinda tough again.... I hate colds...... Apples, sounds like you had a great party and the food was good with something for everybody.... I like to entertain, too, but haven't done any yet this year as I'm still so tired all the time and now the cold... Will be having company on 24th, 25th, and 26th, so will get my share in then I guess.... I still have some cookies to make, maybe today, and then to make my carmel corn.. Well, time to be off.... We travel 17 miles to a little country church....... You'd all love it.... it's small and rustic and beautiful..... and with the snow, looks just like a Christmas card...... Have a great day everyone... Hugs.............. Julie

Linda, we were posting at the same time......... I'm sorry you had a down day... I sure get them, too.... Sometimes you just gotta let it out and get it over with... Too many stressfull things for our middle aged bodies to take...... Hope you are better and have a nice day now... Take care........ Julie

Hello everyone, Apples, you have fun with all your parties.. I'm sure if anyone can pull off gettng things done so you can get to Florida by 1-15, it's you!!!! Have a good Christmas...... Janet, glad you gave yourself a treat and don't feel guilty.... It feels good.... Laura, I'm happy you are feeling good about your decision. I, too, think it is the right one.... Nael will survive and is probably glad to give this gift to you and your parents..... Pics of Nelson were so sweet Linda, you look so good and your DGD is a sweetie.... Cheri, I have quit worrying about who comes anymore.... My side of the family has always been together, but now the grandkids are married and have kids and in-laws and then add to that my 2 brothers don't get along.... Well, I just put a note in the Christmas cards that I was hosting a Family Get Together at my house on Sat, 12-26 at 6:30..... ot a big sit down meal, just snacky type things and I will make hot sandwiches and the rest is potluck... Whoever comes comes......... I just can't worry about it anymore. Hope yours works out okay.... DH said about the same....next year we leave!!!!!! Lori, hope you are doing well today..... take it easy, though.... Well, I'm hoping my head cold is a bit better today.. I slept fair... Used a breathing strip on my nose and it seemed to help.... I have a few things to do this morning and then we are going to Bismarck later... My step daughter actually called yesterday to ask if we wanted to get together for supper.... Come to their apartment (first time we have been invited since they moved from here in April after living on us for free for 18 months!) for coffee and then go to supper... We were shocked... They didn't even contact us at Thanksgiving... So, hopefully this will be a good evening... Last Christmas was when her husband let loose and told us how terrible we are and cussed and swore and called us names.... It's a stressor, but I think I'm ready for him...... I'm just going to keep my mouth shut and only speak when I'm spoken to....... So, I'm off to make some honey butter..... more food gifts.... finished my wrapping this morning and ready to deliver some tomorrow... I'm always glad when that is done.. I only have one gift left and that is a gift certificate for a massage for my mother.... Take care friends.................... HoHoHo..............Julie

Morning, (sniffle, sniffle!!) I'm sick............. those little munchkins at the daycare got me with all their runny little noses and then Mimi and DD got it, so I really didn't stand a chance... I hate colds.... I've been doing Zimax and Aireborne for days trying to stave it off, so hopefully the advertising is correct and it will leave pretty fast..... I did manage to sleep some last night, just have so much pressure in my head and a very runny nose...... And my little Mimi comes at 10:00 today... By DH is here to help me so that makes it much better... Still want to get a few things done, too.... Lori, I understand completely how you feel about your unfill..... If you remember back in April when I got so sick and nearly died, they did a complete unfill on me.. I was terrified.......... and I'm still not back up to where I was then... They think they know best, but I've been stalled so long that I start to lose hope somedays... At least you still have some and since you are at goal, you'll be able to hold on for a week and then start back filling up to where you are comfortable.... Great going on the knee... When my mother had her's done it was just the opposite.... Her second one was worse.... Doc said he had to dig around more on that one... Hope you get to go home and be coddled a little.... Laura, girl, I feel for you.... You do what you know is best.... Everyone will understand whatever decision you make and little Nels will adjust even if he complains abit at first... Just go with your heart..... Apples, congrats on the completion of harvest... It is such a good feeling and has been a real frustration for most farmers this year... Maybe you can relax a bit now.... DH is going to owe you some new Tupperware!!! Men just don't understand kitchen ettiquette!!!! Oh, forgot to say I was happy to hear your DH's tests went well.... Another worry put on hold for a few years..... Thats' great... Cheri, hugs on all your worries.... those little ones and their problems really can tug at your heart... You just want to make everything better for them and it doesn't always work that way... You take care.... Your faith will bring you through...... Well, the rest of you gals, I'm thinking of you but feel like I need to get off here and blow my nose.....and take some drugs..... Hope all are well and warm..... TTYL......Julie

Laura K., thanks so much for the recipe....I'm going to try it one of these first days.... Julie

Hey gang, I'm about ready to leave for Bismarck and amazingly I don't have any doctors appointments today!!! shock shock...... Slept well again... I'm really starting to get used to this again... Meredith, you look wonderful.... It must feel so good.... I'm happy for you...... Joanne, your picture was wonderful, too.. Are you winding down now or still going at 70 mph...? Gotta go... DH has the car warming for me and I need to get home again as Mimi comes at noon. He can handle her, but I don't like making him do it too long alone... Hope you all have a great day.... Laura K, I'd like that recipe if you get to it.... Thanks. Bye now.......TTYL.............Julie

When I was sick this past year I had to have more than one CT scan of my abdomin with contrast.... So they come and bring me this huge amount of red S___ to drink.... I said, "Whoa up there..... I have a a band and it will take me all day to drink that!!) So they went away and came back with something different that was only one glassfull......Drink as much as you can, they said... So, yup, it will be near impossible to drink that gallon of yuck.... Sour Cream Raisin bars are and oatmeal/brown sugar, butter crust.....cooked sour cream custard with raisins added and then more of the crust on top and baked.. DH loves them... This was a new recipe from a cookbook "someone" sent me while I was in the hospital in April... Does anyone have a special, topnotch recipe for homemade carmel popcorn? The kind where you pour a cooked carmel sauce over popped corn and then bake in the oven slowly to dry it??? I can't find my recipe I've used before and want it to be good.... Please share if you have one..... Well, off to bed... Hoping for another good night... Thinking of Lori and hoping she is sleeping well and will be rested for her ordeal tomorrow.... Goodnight.. Julie

Laura, it's so hard to hear your mother is in such bad shape... All you can do is listen and love her. She is going through the most horrible time and so are you and your siblings.. However, each one is a bit different depending on what type of relationship each had with your dad.... Try to be kind to each other and pull together, not apart..... Hugs, my dear..... Oh, and don't come inspect my rugs... They don't get washed every week!!!! Linda , glad you are taking it easy.. When you feel good it's easy to overdo things... I love your stories about baking.. I've been like that only to a lesser degree.. I love to bake, too, like Apples... But since I don't have a thrashing crew to cook for everyday I have really scaled things down around here... I think the idea of a family cook book was great.... I'm sure your family was grateful.. I, too, love Paula Deen.... she's a hoot and I like her down home type recipes.. Arlene, what is your "trash" like?? I saw it on the "Unwrapped" show on Food network and it was made with almond bark white chocolate with all sorts of ingredients.. Will you share your recipe??? Joann, go glad you are back and have been having such a great time with family... Great, hope your surgery goes very well tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you.... Apples, do you do like quadrupal batches of your recipes then to get that many loaves?? Are these regular loaves or mini..... I have a professional size Kitchen Aid, too, but it's still in the box... My regular one is still so good that I hate to give it up... Got the big one as a gift from DH's work a couple years ago.. I got a pan of sour cream raisin bars (ick!) and a batch of iced anise cookies done today.. Poor Mimi has a cold so she moped around most of the day... Watching Caillou and Little Bear was what she wanted.... that and her milk... Wouldn't eat anything.. Suppose her throat was sore and her nose was definitly runny... Well, supper is about ready and tonight is my favorite TV shows... NCIS and the rest on CBS.... I do have a load of clothes to fold while I sit..... Goodnight all... Julie

Morning girls, I slept well again last night.. I'm starting to get used to this and I like it!!!!! Jewel, I'm so sorry your MIL reacted so badly.. Is she just an "ugly" type person with everyone or is it just you?? She needs an attitude adjustment... seriously.. IMHO your husband should set her straight about this...... good luck....... Femme, stick to what is comfortable for a day or so, but don't get caught in the slider trap.... I just finished helping DH do his on-line application for Social Security... glad that's over..... Now maybe he will let me get something of my own done... It's -14 this morning and he's been out doing snow... I shouldn't complain.........I don't want his job!!!! I'd like to get some baking done today, so we'll see how well Mimi cooperates... You all have a good day... Julie

Hey there, I survived the daycare experience... Glad DD got back about the time the rest of them came from school on the bus.... Havoc everywhere... When I got there I helped with dinner (lunch, whaterver you all call it) and then did the dishes while the other gal got them all down for quiet time... then I got to have the 3 month old..... gave her a bottle and put her to sleep.. She likes to be held, so I did!!! Anyway, I'm sane, but very glad I don't do that everyday!!!! And by the way, Apples..... you big chicken!!!!! LOL..... Laura, dear, I feel so much for your pain.... What I have said before hold true still..... I understand... So, go ahead and cry or be mad or throw things.. Get it out of your system and then do what you have to do.... Being coddled probably won't be what your dad will want...so be honest and say everything that is on your heart...about everything... Chances are good that you will lose him sooner rather than later, but you don't have to be left with regrets like those who lose loved ones the other instant ways like heart attacks and car accidents.... Do it all and have no regrets to haunt you later on.... If I can help, just holler........ I'm only a keyboard away.... Hugs to you and your little guy... Watch a funny movie before bed and count your blessings, too.... You have lots..... Okay, again I have to aske about this steel cut oats... What is the big deal??? Is it just the non-quick, rolled kind or what??? I've never heard of it.... Welcome new people... This is a great place... Jewel, I have a 2 1/2 year old granddaughter named Laromi Kay who we call Mimi for short.. You mentioned your Mimi, but it sounded like it could be a grandmother or aunt... Who was your special Mimi..? You sound like you are so sad... Please keep taking those meds... You need some help and hopefully you can get yourself going in a straight line soon... You have so much on your plate (and I don't mean food!!) Do you have anyone to talk to face to face to help you with these struggles?? Use them and if not keep coming back here... You'll always find a friendly post and an honest answer here.... Lori, I was afraid you might overdo things... You be careful... One more day... DMV, do they take nasty pills like the Postoffice people????? Take care now and go easy... I never got hot cereal as a kid.... My dad had to have his cold cereal and I didn't like it much so I hardly ever ate breakfast... Probably a good start on my obesity problem I've had for life.... Anyway, I do like oatmeal, just no raisins.... I've never had grits and always think that polenta stuff looks so good when I watch the food network... Cream of wheat is okay when I'm on mushies after a fill...... but it's not my farovite.. Frosted Mini Wheats would be my cereal of choice... But I hate milk so have to have it sweetened with sugar or Truvia or something... Don't eat it often.... Well, gave DH a nice steak for supper but I wasn't hungry... had a snack when I came home from "work", and also a nap... I should go do some work now so I can cross some things off my list of things to do before Christmas...... You all have a good night.... Julie

Morning............ Yup, Jewel, the girls are right... Don't worry about this... The pre-op is harder than post-op in my opinion... Before surgery you are "making" yourslef do whatever diet your doc put you on... After surgery, for a few days you won't feel much like eating and won't care... It will be easy to follow instructions.. As you move up to mushies and soft foods you'll be surprised how satisfied you are with just a little something... Don't worry, we've all done it and you can, too... Like Apples said, call your doc and make sure you have all the information you should have.... I had another good night... DH lets me sleep in, but my kitty made sure I was up this morning.. I have some errands to do this morning and then I have to go to work and pinch hit for DD at the daycare.. She has an appointment that they set up for 1:00 in Bismarck and she couldn't change it or would have had to wait a couple months... So, I'm covering for her from noon until whenever she gets back (3 or so I figure).. DH will have to have Mimi here at home and I get to go hold babies!!! Apples, you wanna come along?????? They have 6 babies under 12 months most days..... I may enjoy this and then again I may be hairless by the time I get home... I"m not a service oriented type..... Give me numbers, not a room full of children!!! Hope you all have a great day.... TTYL if I'm sane when I get home... Julie

I'm with you, Janet... Can't do "stupid" movies... DH loves them, but if he's watching I'm doing something else... I like dramas mostly and good-hearted comedy is fine... It's the stupid stuff I hate... What the heck is steel cut oats???? I've been going to ask for months.. Never heard of it..... I like oatmeal, maybe I should be trying this... Yup, Apples, DH is now warm... Made him some supper.... Now he's curled up in his chair with a blanket watching reruns for Criminal Minds... I'm just going to veg a bit... Tomorrow is a busy day.. Lori, I will ask the doc about the anti-depressants... I keep forgetting to take them, so really think it's the lack of pain that has me feeling better... I'll see what she says... Apples, you must use a lot of sweetened condensed milk. It seems I recall hearing you mention it often before.. Those last cookies, was that ginger snap dough or something different??? Might try those... I love ginger snaps... I like to try new things but there are some of the oldies that just have to be made, too.... I always do something I call Brown Eyed Susans every year.. little butter cookies with almond flavoring and frosting with an almond sliver on top.... Oh, my, I can taste them already.. Have to wait till close up to make them or they won't last... Like Cheri said about those oreo balls...

Laura, love the pictures.... I've never done a GBH..... Maybe that is something Mimi and I can do "another" year.... I agree, he might just not be hungry.. Docs always told me that kids eat when they're hungry....and what they need.... Apples, I understand about not wanting to share... When you are "famous" for something special it steals something away to share all your secrets... Maybe you should write them all down, though, so your sons have them when you can't do it anymore...... like when you're 101........ I finished my cards today... 82 of the buggers!! We did a quick photo of us with our "new" restored tractor yesterday and was able to get the prints when we were in town last night for Christmas party... Glad they are done.... Just the stamps left and then mailing out the gifts that have to go.... Then I just have food gifts and a bit more for my stash.. Will be having people here Christmas eve, Christmas Day, and the 26th..... I need to get a few more things done.... Eva, I'm not really being negative... I was telling you that somethings the doctor had said have finally started to make sense to me and I don't have to be negative about what is going on with my weight loss right now... I'm feeling better these days... Amazing what no PT can do..... Still waiting to hear about the MRI, but just being able to sleep in my bed and not cry with pain is so wonderful...(Linda, you get that, don't you??!!) I've slept in my bed a few nights now and I've cut my pain and sleeping pill dosage in half.. Kinda quit the anti-depressants...... So, things are better.... I even caught myself singing while curling my hair the other morning... I did have a bit of a downer yesterday with DD... She has been so down and worried and finally told us she can't make it on her new job... Not enough $$ coming in and she has abused her credit card and is in trouble... After we got home last night and brought them a few groceries she needed I convinced her to let me help straighten things out and get a budget figured out and such... She is so proud and felt so bad to have to admit what was wrong.. I totally understand and have been in her shoes when I was young and a single parent.. Only I was older and had an established career then... Anyway, I cried a lot yesterday, but it ended a bit better last night.. So now I have to try to work some magic for her.... She thinks because I'm an accountant and numbers are so easy for me that it should be for her, too... It isn't..... she is a more service oriented person... Does well with children and older people... Can do nursing home care well... and now is doing daycare.... Just not enough money for it!! Well, DH just came in from moving snow again... Better go warm him up....oops.....get him something warm!!!!! Meredith, good luck on the house and have fun in NYC.... Lori, sometimes it seems like we need a money tree in the backyard, doesn't it..... Hope everyone else is doing well... Take care............. Julie

Blessed Sunday Morning to my dear friends.... I'm just home from church and had DH drop me off here while he and Mother went out to breakfast with some friends.. I just can't do that little cafe... I used to own it and the current owner is very rude to me, so I stay out!!! Anyway, I just ate some oatmeal and am ready to try to accomplish a lot of little things today as I will have Mimi all week and she stops me from doing paperwork, especially.... Want to get my cards and letters done today.. And DH wants me to help him register for Socail Security online today, too.... He turns 62 in Feb and we need to get that all started.. My favorite Christmas movie is White Christmas.. I have watched it every year since I was a kid... When I got married DH got my tradition whether he wanted it or not.. When he was still working shift work at the plant I did have to watch it alone sometimes anyway, but I always watched it... When DH was in Iraq over Christmas I sent a DVD to him.. He had taken a little personal DVD player with him when he left and I would send movies all the time.. Well, he and all his friends watched that movie half a dozen times huddled around that little DVD player.. He called to say he had kept my tradition alive even in Iraq.... One of my most treasured memories of that experience.... Now, about squash.... I don't remember who was asking, but I think Phyll..... I like it mashed like your DH did, but without the cinnamon... I like mine with just butter.. Or sometimes done in the oven just like yams, with it par-boiled in cubes, then put in a casserol with butter and marshmallows and baked till masrhmallows melt.. It also makes excellent pie..... just like pumpkin, but is just ususally a bit of a lighter color... I've made pie like that out of sweet potatoes or carrots, too... Very good..... So how were all the Christmas parties? Ours was fine.. Too much food, but I did just fine and did not overindulge at all.... They really tempted me with hot popovers, and with my love for bread I just had to try it with some butter... Well, it wasn't very good, so that made that easy!!!! We have -10 with snow today... A good day to stay inside and be cozy.. Hope you all have a great day.. Linda, you go girl...... Sounds like you are doing great.. Hope to hear from you all later.. I'll check back... God Bless you all.............. Julie

Oh, Linda, I'm so glad you are doing so well... How wonderful for you.. Just think what life is going to be like from now on....You're going to be doing things you thought you'd never do again... Wow....... We had Mimi for the night as DD went out for the evening... She played so hard at daycare yesterday that she went to sleep at 7:00, but was up at 9:00 again and then we watche Cailliou for HOURS!!!!! and she has to be on my lap.... No more sleeping with PaPa, so you know what kind of sleep I got last night... When DH got up I told him it was time to trade and I went to bed and left him in charge of her... She did go to sleep about 1:00, but I couldn't and was up till 3:00..... We both slept until 9:00..... Now we are just hanging out waiting for time to get ready.. We have DH's company Christmas party tonight in Bismarck.. He still gets invited even though he is retired... We will leave early and do a bit more shopping to finish up most of what I have to do.... DD should be here soon to get Mimi... I've been really ignoring my LB type diet lately... This weight loss stall that I've been in has been hard to handle and I've sort of given up on it lately.. DR. told me that it was to be expected with all the things my body has been going through and it was in protection mode. I didn't really believe that much until today.. I have been afraid to get on the scale because I was sure I had gained weight with all the cookies and unwise choices I have been making..... Nope.........just the same.. The doc must be right... Maybe now that my pain is subsiding it will finally get the idea it's okay to lose again, that is if I start eating correctly again.... So, I'm feeling a bit more hopeful that I can still get this thing done if I keep on feeling better..... Oops, sorry to go on so long about that, but it has been on my mind so much and I have been feeling like such a failure lately.. Told DH that the other night and he told me he doesn't see it that way and is so happy I'm alive and getting better.... Gotta love that guy....... So, anyway, hope you all are having a good weekend and will check in when you can.... Hugs to all........... Julie

Apples, I'm sure glad you went to bed and slept good... After my drugs kicked in about 2:30 I went to sleep only to have a stupid nightmarish type dream that had me all scattered when I woke up... didn't get up til 9:00, so I slept but don't think I'm refreshed!! Okay, so who would take your Snickers Bar??!!! About these nails............... I used to have nice nails... have never liked polish, but do polish my toes in the summer... I've had one pedicure and one manicure in my life..... However, since all my medical stuff this past number of months my nails are just awful... They are very soft and they peal and break.. I can't grow them for anything.. I've tried all sorts of things to help but nothing works... just keep them virtually off (short) all the time as when one breaks or peels I have to make them all look alike (anul about that....why I can't wear polish... One little knick and I have to have it all off! Weird, I know!!) Great, sorry your plans for work are taking a hit... Hope you get it all figured out... No Mimi until later so will finish some wrapping and do a bit more baking I think... Have a great day everyone.. TTYL............... Julie

Hey, you guys still up??? Hopefully you are all tucked in and sleeping by this time... It's 1:30 here... I've been doing pretty well the last couple of days.. Actually slept all night in bed with DH last night.. He was shocked, of course!! So, tonight I went to bed but didn't take any sleeping or pain pills..... No pain tonight, so why take the dang pill........ Well, I rolled around for quite some time from 11:30 to 12:30 and then must have dosed off, but only to wake at 1:00 with aches and pains, but not my shoulder!!!! Go figure... I guess those pills have been covering for other things I wasn't even aware of!!!.... Anyway I had to read your posts and Apples, I surely do understand your need to vent a little.... I'm a very organized type and make plans and when someone messes with my plans I get grouchy!!! I'm glad you got all that off your chest.... Did you happen to tell DH he better not do it again for at least a week or two??? Hope this new day is a better on for you... Lori, hope you know what you're doing tomorrow... I don't like the sound of you cleaning for 8 hours this close to your surgery.... might hurt something..... I'm hoping you have the day off and enjoy it emmensely.... Janet, it sounds like you aren't having a bad time adjusting to this furlough day... If it wasn't for the money, it would be a good deal..... Just for your information.............. I hate coffee..........and everything about it... DH is addicted... He is a 37 year recovering alcoholic and evidentally drinks coffee like he used to drink beer and liquor.. I never knew him when he drank... But this coffee thing wouldn't be so bad, but he makes such a mess with it.. He spills making it, pouring it, drinking it........ And everywhere... the counters, the living room....(hard on carpets, thus another reason to consider something other for new flooring in the spring!!) the vehicles.... Maybe if I like drinking it I would be more tolerant... but I have never liked it at all.... Then when he tries to clean it up he uses my dishcloth and wipes, but doesn't rinse the rag so it makes it stained.. I don't have a decent looking one in the house anymore because of that... When he was gone for 15 months on active duty in Iraq from 12-03 to 2--5, it was the only thing I didn't miss about him... I even got to missing his dirty socks laying everywhere.....(That's a whole new vent, so won't go there....) So, there's my venting for the evening, too.... This site really is like group counseling... They sometimes tell you to write your feelings down and then throw it away... just get it out... I guess that's what we do here sometimes... Well, I'm hoping my pills will kick in soon, so nightie night everyone... Hope you are all snoozing away.... Til tomorrow.............. Julie