Kat817

I always thought I was ok if they were not carrying scissors Jane!!!! Is there something you wanna tell us??? LOL Kat

Hey girls~~ What a crazy couple of days!!!! About a year ago---little over, one of the guys who worked for Rick, killed his wife. In front of their kids. Was a terrible thing. They caught him, tried him, and he is in prison now. Well just night before last another one of the guys he works with (one he is really close friends with!)tried to kill his wife! He choked her, thought she was dead, and dumped her out into a ditch. Then he changed his mind, and went back for her body, to discover she was not dead. He put her in his car--well its a Hummer, full sized---and wrapped his belt around her throat and was trying to choke her down, and ended up crashing his truck. He was able to drive and made it home, where their DD was, she is grown with kids---and when she freaked out, he rammed her car trying to disable it. Then he took off. Left his hummer somewhere, and called another one of the guys from work, and ask for a ride. Well the guy had no idea what had happened, so he went after him, and when he got there, and heard what was going on, he freaked out, but wasn't sure how to handle it, if it was safe to refuse or what! So he wanted a ride to the hospital, which is where he figured his wife was, and they saw no one, so he wanted to drive by the house, and no one, so he wanted to go back to his car, and when he did, they were waiting, and arrested him! He is charged with 8 different counts, attempted murder, kidnapping, all kinds of stuff, and when they were fingerprinting him, and questioning him, he was showing them how she pushed him or he pushed her,one of the two, and now they added a charge of assault on an officer.....but the other officer is saying the charge is bogus, that it is racial, because he said that the other officer when going into the interogation room said that "this black bastard is goin' down"......so THAT is what is making the headlines, forget the fact that he tried multiple times to kill his wife, the controversy is over the cops racial comment. Which I agree is horrid, but what about the family??? Now this woman-----I would have choked her years ago! She is a trouble maker deluxe! BUT did not deserve that! He works with Rick, and in a similar capacity job, so I know his income is similar. She owns a hair salon, and just upgraded to a really nice locale. They have a huge home, both drive new hummers.....and come to find out according to her sister, what she has been claiming as income from her shop, was mostly sporadic winnings from the casino, and she has racked up over $185, 000. in credit card debt----all at the casino. They got married 25 years ago---then divorced about 10 years ago due to her gambling. She got help, they sold the home paid things off etc. And ended up remarrying and finished raising the kids, and she is at it again. He snapped seriously!!! He is in jail of course with a bond of a quarter million dollars!!! I ask Rick, if he was sure it was safe for me, for him to work there! So Rick is off, but his phone has rang NON STOP!!!!!! He went with the terminal boss to get the company truck, and someone had destroyed it! The steel rod they used to bash it was stuck through the rear window. No way that truck was going anywhere--so they had to stand by while the cops come out again. Terry pic looks great! Jenn---so sorry, the docs are giving you a run around. TracyK---I actually began my cancer treatment at MD Anderson, but then they sent me to Scottsdale to the Mayo clinic there. My treatment was VERY controversial, because they gave me 6 months worth of chemo PRIOR to the hysterectomy, even though we knew it was cancerous. Was treated like royalty everywhere, from MD Anderson, to Mayo, to University of NM in Albq. everyone was amazing. Pamela---I would have run up and hugged you too. Oh yeah, I am now doing the prednisone.....in small doses as opposed to a tapering of them. Usually it is given in multiple doses for several days slowly tapering. This they have me taking daily, low dose. So far the vision is fine. Hives are still here....but I know there has not been much time for it to help. And stress has been abundant. This ordeal with our friend has just blown us out of the water! Well I am off to do some Christmas cards! Hoping to finish up my Secret Santa tomorrow, and get it sent sometime next week.......maybe it is coming to YOU! Kat

Sherry-------DAMN!!!!!!! I missed your call! We have company in from just outside of Denver, so it was loud in here with the guys carrying on. They are outside putting a woodstove in Ricks new shop, but it is like they have radar, the second I get on the phone or on the computer, they need something that only I know where is!!! At least this way I am not getting interupted quite so much. Will be calling you back soon tho!!! About a year ago---little over, one of the guys who worked for Rick, killed his wife. In front of their kids. Was a terrible thing. They caught him, tried him, and he is in prison now. Well just night before last another one of the guys he works with tried to kill his wife! He choked her, thought she was dead, and dumped her out into a ditch. Then he changed his mind, and went back for her body, to discover she was not dead. He put her in his car--well its a Hummer, full sized---and wrapped his belt around her throat and was trying to choke her down, and ended up crashing his truck. He was able to drive and made it home, where their DD was, she is grown with kids---and when she freaked out, he rammed her car trying to disable it. Then he took off. Left his hummer somewhere, and called another one of the guysand ask for a ride. Well the guy had no idea, so he went after him, and when he got there, and heard what was going on, he freaked out, but wasn't sure how to handle it, if it was safe to refuse or what! So he wanted a ride to the hospital, which is where he figured his wife was, and they saw no one, so he wanted to drive by the house, and no one, so he wanted to go back to his car, and when he did, they were waiting, and arrested him! He is charged with 8 counts, attempted murder, kidnapping, all kinds of stuff, and when they were fingerprinting him, and questioning him, he was showing them how she pushed him or he pushed her, and now they added a charge of assault on an officer.....but the other officer is saying the charge is bogus, that it is racial, because he said going into the interogation room, that "this black bastard is goin' down"......so THAT is what is making the headlines, forget the fact that he tried multiple times to kill his wife, the controversy is over the cops racial comment. Which I agree is horrid, but what about the family??? Now this woman-----I would have choked her years ago! She is a trouble maker deluxe! BUT did not deserve that! He works with Rick, and in a similar capacity job, so I know his income is similar. She owns a hair salon, and just upgraded to a really nice locale. They have a huge home, both drive new hummers.....and come to find out according to her sister, what she has been claiming as income from her shop, was mostly sporadic winnings from the casino, and she has racked up over $185, 000. in credit card debt----all at the casino. They got married 25 years ago---then divorced about 10 years ago due to her gambling. She got help, they sold the home paid things off etc. And ended up remarrying and finished raising the kids, and she is at it again. He snapped seriously!!! He is in jail of course with a bond of a quarter million dollars!!! I ask Rick, if he was sure it was safe for me, for him to work there! Well, off I go to SHOW Darren what a can of roofing tar looks like, because we have both told him where to find it, and he is still empty handed! Pat the tree would look really nice with a white skirt I bet!!!---mine is crazy this year, Kinsey did all the decorating, she used every ornament known to mankind that I had!!! She could reach the bottom 1/3. I got her a step stool for the middle section, and she directed me....the next one over or one more up--for the top of the tree. She is SOOOOOOOO proud of it! As a 4 year old should be!! BBL!! Kat Oh yeah, I will see if I can hunt up last years list--if not....I will let you know to send them!

I have been in one accident where a guy turned left on a green light in front of me and there was no way to stop in time. The worst one I have ever been in, a truck going East swerved around a car in his lane, lost control, went down into the median and come up in the west bound traffic airborn, only to land on me going west! Been in ones like you mentioned, hit from behind, both times while the driver gawked at accidents in opposing lane traffic! OOOooops! The last one, she hit me hard! Slammed my car into a utility pole, and jammed my knee between my dash and the door. Ended up requiring surgery on it. I was battling with insurance right then about my band. My hospitalization caused my monthly meet with the Dr. requirement to be delayed by 4 days---they were going to make me start my 12 month supervised all over!!! I was 10.5 months into the year already!!! When her insurance offered me a settlement-I took it and RAN as fast as my repaired knee would take me to my band surgeon!!! Best thing to ever come out of an accident!!! LOL Kat

I honestly do my best to follow traffic law, I know I became much more observant after having children and worrying for their safety. My DH was given a ticket a couple of years ago on Black Friday at 4 in the morning, because the light was yellow when he entered the intersection. He tried telling the officer that it changed awfully late for him to safely stop without slamming the brakes, and he was through it before it turned red. The officer told him, that was irrelevent. And give him the ticket. He got a little pissy when DH ask where to sign to be able to see a judge over it. The officer actually told him it would cost him way more if he did it that way. We went to the judge, and took with us a copy of the manual for the drivers test where it states a yellow caution light indicates to clear the itersection.....it does not say slam on your brakes! The judge could not get a straight answer out of the officer, she finally gave up asking him and dismissed it. Waste of time and $$$. Through the years he has had assorted speeding tickets etc, but never fought one, because he said he deserved those....but this one was bogus!!! Fanny---the snakes even in a controlled room environment, would have had me hanging from the light fixtures in fear! My brother has had several as "pets" but not me!!! He got all the brave genes! Boobs? I am with Mac---my cup size increased if anything. The band went down from a 44-46 to a 38, but the cup size is still a DD.....was thinking I might shrink a bit...but like Susan, mine have been big since puberty. Now with that being said, I really am female...but...I like football!! We watch a few college teams, my Uncle travels with one as the team physician. But we watch all NFL that comes on. This is the first year I have not done Fantasy Football. I was in the hospital dealing with the twisted intestine during team picks. I love hitting the sports bars for games, the loud cheering etc. FUN! FUN! FUN! We had a friend who played professionally for years actually won a superbowl with the Ravens. We used to go to the games quite frequently when we were living in Denver. Always seemed so silly, go to the game and take a TV!!! LOL Tailgating was a blast tho! As for men being stoooooopid......it is a fact that they really can say some incredibly stupid things! But on the other hand, had he went on eloquently about things, and quoted you poetic lines....then you would have wondered if he really was straight!!! At 5'9" myself, I would likely have looked past him due to his height.....and yet I know some awesome men who are shorter than I am. We get set in ways of looking at people, and sometimes we need our world shook up! I believe no matter what he said, you would have felt slighted simply because you went hunting for the compliment, rather than it being offered freely. So I think what you need to do is make a concentrated effort to SHOW him what a REAL woman is like!!! That being a woman, and using your womanly ways has nothing to do with size of anything other than your imagination!!! Had my share of jury duty--would mention how long, but that would jinx me for sure into being called up in the next round!!! Off to finish decorating! Kat

Cleaning does not sound fun! I am still procrastinating over shampooing my carpets!!! Love the tables Laura. We bought ours several years ago....I like them ok, I think I am just ready for a change....but my finances say they are fine! LOL Hives continue....and I seriously do not want to go the steroid route. Last time I reacted to the prednisone--in 3 days time it took my vision from 20/20 to 20/300!!! By the morning of the second day I realized I couldn't read license plate, by that night---everything was a mass blur. I could not read billboards, faces were simply skin tone blobs---no features! I was in a panic--rushed to the ER, and the Dr. looked it up, and while it is an extremely rare reaction to corticosteroids, I was not the first, nor only one for it to affect that way. I discontinued them immediately and within 36 hours, my vision was completely normal again. That was over 12 years ago--my vision is not as good without any drugs now as it was then, so I'd go completely blind! Whether that or the itching misery would be worse, I don't know. They are seeming to get worse with pressure. Anywhere I have clothing pressing, or if I wear shoes....that is where they pop....and if I scratch myself, up it pops. That is supposed to tell me something, I just don't remember what it means! Haydee, I am making cookies to take to the neighbors. So I guess it is holiday baking. Partly because Kinsey loves doing it so much---it makes it fun! I am going to start roasting peanuts tonight. They are for Rick to hand out at work. If I start them tonight, we can both work on them over the next several days while he is off. I found some really cute bags, with a zip top, and above the zipper top is a little handle. So we can fill them, and be done. Well my girl finally woke up! She stayed awake for an hour and a half when she got here, and then crashed in my bed. So now that she is up we will get started on the tree. So will catch you girls later!! Kat

(((((HUGS))))) Sherry---hope you got my PM---know I will be thinking of you!! I have a few of the addresses from last year, but if anyone or everyone wants to PM me their home address I will compile a list and send it out to each of you for Christmas card exchange. If you want to just send your name address phone # email I will have put it all together and share it with those who want to participate. That way if someone totally goes MIA (like some of our girls have in the past) we have at least a possible contact. Always worries me when someone just disappears. And NO ONE except us here, that send our info out will ever have access to the addresses or #'s. Well off to get some address labels printed and to try to get started on some of my Christmas cards---which is what made me think of this!!! LOL See y'all tomorrow! HO HO HO Kat

Home from putting up the 2nd tree of the day. Man there are some awesome trees at the festival. Ours is lighthearted, but turned out cute, got decent reviews from the other decorators, and we were given some great ideas. Was a nice group of people around us, very friendly. It is not a competition between each tree really, although everyone there I am sure wanted to have the best, and make the paper etc!! There was a childrens violin group practicing for their recital during the festival. They hit a few squeakers, but mostly it was WOW!!! And some of them were little! Jane, sorry you are in a funk....I really do relate. These hives have me in one. I keep trying to think of something I can do to get rid of them, and don't know what--but I HATE them so bad! My cleavage is a mass of red welts right now..... Tomorrow I am ready for Kinsey to decorate the tree with ornaments, and then we will finish the cookies. I also have laundry to do....of course!!! Manda come in today, and gave me a card---a credit card looking kind of card. It is the BP version of the Stars Cards Rick gets at work. They are a bonus thing. Ours we pay taxes on.....but they give them out for going above and beyond in your job. Rick and the other supervisors give them out -- and occasionally HIS boss gives him one too! Well Manda got this one for staying extra time doing the party prep. She give it to me saying if not for me, she couldn't have stayed. She wants me to go buy myself something.....BUT (isn't there always a but!!!) I have to check with her before I buy anything, because she has already done my Christmas she said!!! LOL I just am having a hard time thinking of buying myself something. I have too many other people this time of year to buy for....plus it is more fun to buy for others. She is trying to convince me to use it to buy myself a new outfit for the company party. Ours is not until mid January, because the company cannot have a CHRISTMAS party, it has to be a winter party. Being a world wide company---there are those who do not celebrate Christmas....so of course the majority have to cater to them! My thought is to use it and go have our family pics taken elsewhere since Gary is not really feeling up to doing it yet. Any other good ideas??? Well I think I will see about getting started on my cards....at least get them organized. House feels very festive with the tree lit up. Now I have to wrap some gifts! See y'all in the morning! Nighty night Kat

At this point Laura, whether your Mom likes it or not Russell needs to know. If your Mom didn't want him to know, she should not have told you either. You are a couple, and are facing a long life ahead of you dealing with siblings on both sides doing drugs. The where and who sold to who and all is disappointing I am sure, but like you said, there is a good chance your brother sold to him too---so if his parents knew, they might not want to associate with your family either!!! I would call my Mom and tell her, I had been thinking and worrying over it, and I wanted her to be aware I was going to tell my husband, because he is just that----my husband.....my mate......my partner, in good and bad. Then I would do just that. And just for the record I agree with Michelle----you have important reasons for steering clear of all of them! It might be that is the basis in the next year of your not going to the in laws house or even your parents, if the siblings are going to be there, and be using. Soon, your child will have you wanting to spend holidays in your own home, and you will be the one to decide who gets invited etc. That will eliminate anyone else deciding who gets invited or not!! It is just a few years away!!! Ok just to be different....I am saying this little one is a GIRL!!! All the decorations are up......except the tree! Will get it half way up tonight and then let Kinsey finish it tomorrow. Took much longer to decorate than usual, with a little girl examining each and every one of my multitude of snowmen!!! But she had fun. We got cookies mixed and about 4 dozen baked, then her Mama showed up, so I put the dough in the fridge, and we will finish tomorrow. I bought a box of egg beaters to use, so there would not be an issue of her eating cookie dough---and she knows me so well, we put the plastic lid on the bowl to put it in the fridge and she tells me "don't eat it all tonight Granny, ok?" LOL so much for those dinner plans! Well I am going to get a couple of things done----slow but sure..... Kat

Morning all! Fire is going, and Kinsey and I have had breakfast, but I just cannot get the gumption up to do anything at all. I know it is the sedative effect of the antihistimines, that I am taking for the hives....which are still popping up in wierd places, then itch and swell, and finally go away, only to appear in a dozen other areas. Right now my worst break out is under my left ear, down towards my jaw, itching like mad! Wind is still blowing, trying to get a storm in to us, but it wimps out, we are still getting into the 60's during the day, setting all kinds of high temp records! Supposed to be 10 degrees colder tomorrow. The nights get well below freezing, so the fire is going....just a wierd winter so far! I mean I know it isn't even technically winter....but you know what I mean!!! A couple of hours of work, and the stocking will be done as far as I can take it at this point. Not tons left to do, but delicate work. Santa's face has to be done, and it is all stitched, satin stitched cheeks, and eyes, small close work. I also have some embroider work to do to complete his belt. Then I just wait for a name, and stitch it on, and sew the back on and hang it with the rest. Kinsey and I are going to get some more Christmas put up today. Then this afternoon we are going to bake some cookies, to take to the neighbors next door and to send home with her, I cannot have them in the house! Tonight I am going to have Rick move my trunk and get the tree put into the sled/stand. Then I will put the beads and garland I use on, and wait for Kinsey tomorrow to come and put on ornaments. Which takes me to Thursday, and Rick is off for 4-5 days then, so who knows what will be going on. We are discussing a possible trip to Denver. I am against it.....I have other uses for the finances involved in doing that! We always end up spending a fortune, eating out at high dollar places etc. His sister and brother there, do NOT do fast food, and they do not do anything inexpensive! At any rate, the rest of the outside will get done, and by weekend I will be ready! Tonight I am going with my friend to do her tree for the Festival of the Trees. She got Boot Barn to sponsor her tree, and went with the Western Theme. Also has gift cards to Big R, Western Warehouse, and a couple of local western wear stores. So we spent part of the day tying bandana bows onto fake barbed wire for garland, it actually turned out pretty cute! All the ornaments look like metal--well some are actually metal. We have a cowboy santa for under the tree that I think Judy needs! I laready have plans to go buy a set of the cowboy snowmen ornaments!! Will try to get some pictures, and have someone help me post them! Everytime I try the size is too big. And my brain too small! Well nothing is getting done with me sitting here on my behind!!! Will check in on my break, because I KNOW I will be taking breaks, I am exhausted and have done nothing! Kat

My MIL, for the most part is a very loving woman---but there are times she gets on my very last nerve and jumps up and down really well for an 80 year old woman! Through the years I have figured her out somewhat. #1 she does not want to be outdone in any way. If my DH says I cooked something he liked----she will cook it for him soon, and do something, anything to try to improve upon it! #2 in the beginning, years ago, if he mentioned a dish she cooked he liked, I would ask her how or for the recipe....and quickly learned she would NEVER, give the entire thing to me, she always holds out so hers is how he likes it etc. She is the Queen of subtle put downs! My SIL, her DD and I were banded together, and I will NEVER compare to how well she looks, and how well she does things! Which is expected, that IS her DD and I am the DIL---but rather than build her up, she tears me down! One thing it has taught me.....I am VERY nice to my DIL, and SIL's!!!! But ya know, should I live to be 80+ I might just decide to say whatever the hell strikes me too!!! LOL Kat

Hi girls! Welcome home Pamela, take some time to unwind and relax a bit--but hurry back, we missed ya!! Judy, I ended up at the Dr.'s today. We met up with Manda and Kinsey for lunch....actually brunch, because my granddaughter wanted pancakes! And the whole time I am eating my salad, my throat felt itchy. I actually caught myself, not chewing things quite as well as I should wanting to use the roughage to scratch my throat! So I went in to see if they would give me a RX for a new Epi pen, without waiting to be seen since I was afraid the itchy was hives invading my throat. I could feel them in my cheeks, on the inside. Well he wanted to look at me, so he finally fit me in, and guess what? I have hives! DUH! So I have a new epi pen, and am working through my diet, and all, but I KNOW it is likely something I will never figure out. I had them before and we finally deduced they were stress related. I fought them for months. Luckily not to a point of hospitalization. But right now I have some between my toes, and I am a bitchy, whiny, mad woman! Got Mom's shopping done. Did a couple of things of mine. But everything I wanted, they did not have. And I was impatient and not in the greatest of moods to shop! Brunch was great though.....doing my best to get past being angry/upset with my DD. I felt quite blessed to be there with my Mom, DD, and granddaughter. When my DD was about Kinsey's age, my Mom, my Grandma and I all went to Disneyland together. I would love to do it with Kinsey, but my Mom is not up to keeping up like my Grandma was. She has fibromyalgia, and is in pain all too often. I have Turkey/green chile casserole in the oven, cornbread in the oven, and Rick just called that he is going to be late.....grrrrrrr Tracy--well both Tracy's, and anyone else who might be interested....Becky and I found and printed Letters from Santa on line last night. There are several places you can do it with several different wording options. It is a thing where you fill in the name, what they want, something they are doing---like starting school, or having a good grade, etc. On some you can have friends or pets mentioned. It mentions your town, and for them to go to bed early and to leave snacks for him and the reindeer! And they ask what your child ask for so it can be mentioned. Then when you fill in the answers, it formats the letter with their name in the header, and all the info. Then when you finish, one even has a place you can print your envelope with a "postmark" of the Northpole, and then just sneak it in the mailbox. But in cases like Kinsey, she is too young to even know about postmarks. Anyway, we ended up using them off of 2 different sites--one has a special one for kids who have seen Santa at the mall. Just search for FREE letters from Santa--you will find them. They even have funny ones about being naughty for adults! No snow here.....good thing I am not waiting for that snow to kiss Rick!! LOL But massive wind again. Ripped my door panel off my car door. I was in the van, and when I parked at Target, I opened the door and the wind gusted and I grabbed the door handle, and it popped those little plastic like screws out,and the panel come loose! The door is upholstered to match the interior, and has all the controls for the locks, all the windows, the mirrors----everything on it! Rick is gonna be so happy..... Well I am off to take dinner out of the oven, even though no one is gonna eat yet! Catch y'all after while! Kat

Morning girls, just a quick check in. I am off to shop, and to take Kinsey to lunch. Manda took the day off to spend with Kinsey for her actual birthday---so my Mom and I are meeting them for a 4 generation lunch! Then Mom and I are going to take advantage of not having her and do our shopping for her! Mom has a couple things left and she is done. I have all my kids done, and Connor done, need to do Kinsey and my inlaws and I will be done. Got my Letter done for my cards last night, also typed up Moms and printed it, so she is ready to do an assembly line and send out her cards. Will deliver my MIL's labels and cards I picked up for her on my way to town today! Last year my brother bought Rick and I this bed topper--it is like a featherbed only it is fiberfill. He bought it at Sears, and it was HUGE---big and poofy, so you can imagine to fit a King size bed, it was big. We used it last year and loved it. But it adds so much warmth we took it off for the summer. So I saw it in the shed when we brought in all the Christmas stuff, and went----OH YEAH! So we put it on last night-----so soft and snuggly, I was able to sleep in, so I was wallowing around in the bed this morning, just enjoying the dozing.....when I heard the trash truck! DAMN-we forgot to take the dumpsters to the road! So up I fly, grab clothes, and a coat, and my crocs and run them down just in time to be dumped. What a RUDE awakening, when I was cuddling in the bed just sooooo happy!!! I am having some sort of reaction, and have hives. So I am gonna zombie out and take some Zyrtec----they come and go, and pop up in the wierdest places. My inner thigh is itching like crazy right now, and to scratch them only makes them worse, plus Lord knows what it looks like I am scratching if I do!!! Hope the Zyrtec helps quickly! Well if I am going to be ready when my Mom gets here, I better get busy. I DID get the greenery put across the top of the entertainment center! And my normal clear rope lights changed to red ones! So decorating HAS begun........carpets still remain un shampooed! Someone needs to stand behind me with a whip!!! HO HO HO! Kat

Wanna trade for my M&M's???? Kat

Susan, we began this adventure around the same time...and through it all we have hit the hard plateaus about the same time range etc. I really believe some of what you are experiencing is normal for the place we are. If you will look back, and locate those of us still around that were banded in the same general time range....we have all come to a point, that while our bands are quite successful, we are "tired" of behaving I think!!!! I am going with no fill, and am really having to work it, and I don't like that! I am not trying to belittle how you feel, but I truly believe some of it is just that for 2.5 years we have worked with the band. For years prior to that, I allowed myself to become really seriously lazy----and sometimes I miss the simple act of not caring! I love that I am not almost 300 pounds anymore. I love that my blood pressure and blood sugar are normal again. BUT........I am tired of dealing with it! Some days the want to just BE is overwhelming! Plus, in the beginning the weight come off quickly which kept us motivated, but as we approach goal, it slooooooows so drastically! It is hard not to just say screw it, I am not losing anyway! It is harder to find motivation. Personally I also have to factor in the time of year, I totally dislike being unable to be outside doing things for exercise----so I often find myself just not doing any---which is sabotaging myself. But winter really sucks---I am not much into winter sports. I know I have not offered any constructive ways of dealing with this, I just wanted you to know you are NOT alone...... But isn't there a part of you being an "old timer" here with the band, that wants to know what is next? There has to be a way to get our mojo back, and push on..... Maybe together.....I know Sherry (SherryBoBerry) is EXACTLY where we are....down to your same issues with the over fill---vs. no restriction. And she too is in the same range time wise, she and I were just PM'ing about the same issues! It doesn't help but you cannot call yourself a loser without calling us the same........and....I DARE you!!! Kat

Tracy that is one of my standby cakes to take to Rick's work pot lucks---it always gets raved about!! You are so much better than I am! I would be snacking away on it! My version of throwing things in the trash is to send them to work with Rick and he puts them in the break room--voila` they are gone! I sent pies yesterday!! I went over board making dressing, keeping in mind I am used to cooking these dinners with the entire clan of DH's family in mind---so I had excess!! I filled a foil pan with it, and froze it...then popped it out of the pan and put it in a zipper bag and back in the pan in the freezer, when I have to do the company pot luck, one of mine will be that!!! LOL Denise, I will be praying for comfort for your family, I know the fears and pain you are dealing with well. Rick is in letting the guys work again today. They have goals set for the dept. that they do each year, and part of the shops goals were to be 100% compliant with PM's on the equipment. Which consists of anything to do with oil changes, and general Preventative Maintenance on the equipment. If they make their goal, they get a pretty good bonus----note I said they, not Rick!!! Well the list brings trucks and equipment up by month---they get done every 3 months or after so many hours in service. They thought they were all set for the month, then 4 different pump trucks were used on a big job thet ended yesterday---and they all popped up on hours, so unless they get them done, and removed from the list, they fail for compliance in the month of November. So with the added benefit of overtime pay for this time of year, they all wanted to try to do it---so he went in so they could work--and when I talked to him, he was right in the greasy middle of things helping them.... No snow yet for us, we were supposed to get some yesterday, but the wind blew and blew----but the temp never even went below freezing! And it is blowing like crazy again today! Blew over my trash dumpster that was FULL! Mine is in bags, so no mess, but that must have been a heckuva gust! Well--stocking is close......! I plan on doing cards this afternoon----not sure if I will get them out any time soon, but gonna start. Got the Mom's labels done! LOL Off to stir my soup, and check the bacon I got bakin' in the oven!!! Catch y'all laters. Emails notification is working again....YAY!!!! Kat

OK no one pass out! I know I have been MIA---my bad! We were in TX for awhile, which was fun, and stressful all at one time. I love going, and love seeing our family there. But this time we went with my inlaws, and my son and his family (wife and 2 .5 yr old son). Love them all-----cannot live with any of them happily any more!!! I know we get referred to as the sandwich generation---with good reason, I felt like the innards of a sandwich---squashed by the togetherness. I love my MIL. I truly do, she is seriously manipulative tho. And when I can get away when she tries to pull that crap it is one thing, but to live with it is not fun! Son and his wife got in a huge fight. He (love him to death, but....) is a HUGE chauvenist. No idea where it come from, he is so unlike his Dad in that way! And DIL is immature and they are both selfish as hell. So I listened to my DIL cry.....and I KNOW she has valid points....but at the same time he is ours, and I am not free to point out her short comings, because when they make up, I am not gonna be the bad guy!!! Can you tell I am thrilled to be home, and living with no one but Rick??? LOL I come home to a package in the mail, and when I opened it, there was (I SWEAR to GOD) a flying monkey!!! I thought it was you guys! But it was from one of the Shrinking Violets! Was a great laugh! Betty, glad the girls are healthy and well!!! LOL be careful cleaning the pool----maybe you need to hire a really cute pool boy!! Pat the anniversary party looked wonderful! You look great, the pics are something I totally enjoy!! Except for fires!!! OMG how scary was that! I too leave a candle burning in the bathroom all the time it seems! My granddaughter ignores it, but boy my grandson would not----might have to rethink things and buy one of those things that shoots air freshner automatically and buy the battery powered fake candle. I am so glad you are all ok! Enjoy the home make over!!! Eileen, yay, glad you had such fun at Disney, I am jealous!!! My finances suck so bad right now, vacation is just a dream! Sherry, sorry your fill is not working. I hate that. If you want a diet buddy---say the word, I need it too!!! Well Rick is up, he is having trouble sleeping, maybe if I rub his back..... I promise to be back, I wish the email notifications would work again, I have hell keeping in mind what I am supposed to do without them!!! Hugs! Kat

I am totally unfilled---was unfilled back in April for my TT, and have never filled since, and managed to maintain. That being said....I ate like I was totally unfilled too!!! LOL But Friday I was back to considering what I was eating, and how much. Trying to stick to the turkey left overs, and avoid the starchy carb left overs! I think I just began grazing as I prepared, and continued grazing through the day. Now I did think about it, and when I was tempted to sneak into the dessert type snack foods that were around, I chose to go with celery and cheese. But I did not deny myself anything I truly wanted. I have not been on the scale, plan on giving myself a week to watch the food and work out a bit more....and then see what it looks like! This is how I hope to live the rest of my life. Indulge, on occasion ---as most people do, just avoid the over indulging on a daily make that hourly basis! Hope everyone enjoyed the holiday! Kat

I am up.....the house is semi cleaned, nothing major, but in a normal state again! I am trying to decide whether I want to shampoo carpet today, and then decorate this week, or whether to get things up, then shampoo. Where my tree goes it will not get done really anyway, I have an antique trunk of my great grandma's there normally. Hmmmmmm Rick is working, and says it looks like he will be late, the guys are pretty backed up. He had one come in yesterday who was not supposed to, and somehow the guy cut himself pretty badly, so he has to deal with the back lash of that today and try to see if the guys job is worth saving or not! Might make a quick run in for some paper and labels so I can get my cards out---I am not as with it as Laura is!!! No pictures for us this year. We had plans, and I even bought shirts for all of us----but Gary has been too sick to even think about pictures! I also do labels for my Mom and my MIL. Rick was talking to his Mom on the phone, and I told him to tell her I would get them to her this week. She told him for me not to bother, I didn't need to do her things. Rick FINALLY saw it for the martyr type comment it was! He got a bit snippy himself and told me, while she was on the phone, not to do hers he guessed she wasn't gonna send any cards. She told him oh she had to send some out or everyone would think they had died! He told her, well you know Kat has made you labels for years, they're saved on the computer, but if you want to be that way and write them with hurting hands DO IT! She backed off and said she would get with me about changes for her labels, since some she had quit hearing from. Rick being the smart a$$ he can be sometimes, said, well maybe they died!! I was in the kitchen cracking up! So, if I go buy labels and paper, I can get all that done without Kinsey help! And she can help decorate....which will be fun too---but at least that she will enjoy, cards bore her, and last year she spilled my tea all over them!! Maybe some wrapping.....so much to do, and so little I really want to do!!! Stocking is at least half done, more than that really.....I can finish the front but will have to wait til he is born to finish it, they are not sharing the name til then..... Well, it is time to do SOMETHING!!! Right or wrong, I gotta get moving!!! HO HO HO Kat

Well I got the link today, and it was not part of today's obits. So I typed in his last name, which is the same as hers, and ask for ones for the last week, and I got it no problem. He sounded like a great guy----and it seemed he had a life well lived. Hope our Pamela is ok, the "celebration" is tomorrow. There was a guy in our obits in the paper today who was a year older than me, so he was 49----he died of cancer, and he was surrounded by his wife and 4 , four legged doggie children when he passed away. After mentioning the animals again, it finally mentioned about 6 kids, and their spouses, and grandkids. Then told about his life some, and the last paragraph said he was also survived by and listed no less than 11 names, children from previous marriages....it said! My Gosh, the man simply wore himself out!!!! We had a great Thanksgiving. Was laid back, and pleasant. Kinsey is staying with us tonight while her Daddy takes her Mama out for her birthday. She is very into Polar Express right now. Which is good because she is taking a Polar Express Train Ride a week from tomorrow. The Narrow Guage train out of Durango, makes a run called the Polar Express Ride. All the kids wear their jammies, and on the ride up train attendants in costume read them the story of the Polar Express. Then when they arrive they see Santa....he rides back I guess, and gives each child a bell and they have hot chocolate and Cookies on the way home. It is part of the kids party that Manda's company holds for employees children since they are not made a part of the big party. Manda was part of the planning committee for their company party. I guess they are giving away some fabulous prizes, and the big wheel who is helping with planning told them they were not eligible for the drawing for the big prizes, because it would look set up, but to thank them for their work, they all got new 32" plasma TV's! Must be nice!!! I have ate my way through the last 2 days. OMG the amount and kinds of food I ate! I am avoiding the scale, and come Monday, the DIET is on! It has to be, no options!!! LOL Well Kinsey thinks movies are better watched from Granny's lap.....and I have to agree!!! So off I go to finish the movie! Everyone take care! Kat I am not getting email notifications again----is anyone else???

Good Luck to you! It is always wise to explore and research before making the commitment to any surgery! The option will always be open for you, and if you choose to explore it later----I'd look into a new Dr!!! Good Luck with your weight loss. Kat

Nothing much too add.......Terry baking in bunches is easier for me, than to dig all the needed things out more than one time! Made some banana bread while everything was out, cuz I had bananas that were either getting tossed or baked! Have the turkey ready to go. Rick injected the butter sauce into him!! We filled the cavity with onions, and celery and some fruit....I watched them do ig on the food Network, not to eat the things, but to keep everything moist. Thout WTH I was gonna try it!!! All my ingredients for the dressing and side dishes are ready to go....Onions and celery are chopped, so will be nothing but assembly work tomorrow! We are actually thinking of going to the early sale at KMart in the morning. They have some earbuds we would like for the Ipod. Koss buds for $10! We'll see. OK--now I have posted so will get reminders, and can find my way "home"! Someone better send Pamela an email!!! Thanks for starting us up Michelle sorry you lost your post---that irritates the you know what outta me!!! See ya later girls! Kat

It is said not to use Dial nor Dove. I guess the Dove is too much cold cream, and I read that the Dial has no animal fat in the soap, so possibly that has something to do with it. I have no idea. Personally, I think my bed has Coast!!! LOL Sure do hope it works for her too--I know it did us. Kat

Got all my pies baked.....house is semi done, I am alllllllll alone..........MY choice of music playing.......pretty wierd!! I did not mean to imply that SMS's DH was anything like my ex, but after years spent speaking on a Victim Impact Panel, I just could not walk away without assuring her, she CAN do it if she finds a need to! Wow Beth, you too went through some crap....now my ex unknown to me was actually still married to someone else when I married him.......nah, couldn't be!!!! My storied like yours would curl peoples toes....and whoever (should look back and find out who, but I am lazy!) said we had a lot to be thankful for this year--they said it all! Loving husband, happy family......Yep it will be a Happy Thanksgiving fer sure fer sure!! Kat

Pies are all done....well 2 remain in the oven, the rest are cooled and done! 2 pumpkin, 1 pecan, 2 chocolate pecan, 1 caramel pecan, and 1 SF caramel pecan. We also have a gooey butter toffee cake (Manda's choice for her B-day) and a carrot cake. Heaven help me!!!! Kinsey had a blast!!! She stirred and dumped things to her hearts content, and she cracked every single egg we used all by herself....talk about a proud kid! She was all psyched to chop up the veggies, until her Mama showed up and reminded her that her new cottage was at home, and that was all she wrote, she was ready to go! Got most of my stuff done, going to do a bit of cleaning, but just everyday stuff, it is just our family so no one I need to do extra cleaning for!!! LOL Our Chili's we have decided it all depends on who you get as a wait person. Some are on the money, and really good, and others are worthless! As for the dressing mix up on the sandwich, chances are that was the cooks fault, not the waiters. They get used to doing it a certain way, and no matter what is wrote then sent through the computer, they just make it as usual....which really bites, because I always have the tomatoes left off.....and get irritated as can be when it comes out covered in tomatoes!! I mean I am already the slowest eater in the bunch--always--but now I have to wait while they make it right, and hope they don't spit in it for me sending it back! We are reheating stew for dinner, and I have bread ready to go in the bread machine here in a few minutes so it will be hot and fresh when Rick gets home. He LOVES coming in and getting the heel and smothering it in butter! I used to love it as well, and we would argue over who should eat it, when I tried to give it to him, he would refuse and tell me he wanted the next slice, which I knew was not true!!! Since the band, I no longer argue!!! I usually cut the corner of the crust off and eat it! I am going to start my wrapping this next week Judy. I usually wrap as I go, but I am so far behind this year it is pathetic! We are hitting a couple of sales on Friday, and that should finish up the actual shopping for gifts. Anything after that will be extra, just because it strikes me kind of things! Anyone have any good moisturizing hints for your sinus? I am so dry and tight that my nose is bleeding. Tracy--I really cannot answer about the candles. I know when I have been to the area during the craft shows the smells are very bold.....but I have never bought candles from her, only the body butter. Wait! I do have some, I have a cherry vanilla one that was part of the Christmas give away thing--and it does pretty well at smelling up the house. And also a Cucumber Melon. They smell good....they just are not the usual scents I would burn. Fruity is not my thing. The ones I have like I say were part of a give away to all the women at DH's Christmas Party with the company. I did not choose them. I know she makes some soy, and maybe even some beeswax (both renewable sources---not relying on petroleum like usual parafin candles do), but I have never had any of them. Well I am going to go put my bread on, and get the rest of my housework done, so I can kick back and work on the stocking!!! Gobble-Gobble!! Kat