I'm here to help...

[Mrs. Bubba 0]

Morning, did everyone survive the big meals??? I did... I ate what I wanted and it wasn't turkey.... Had none.... did have pie... One piece with cream.... Didn't overdo anything just didn't eat the band way.... And my pain stayed manageable all day and even into the evening.. Got me a bit about 1:30 this morning, but another dose of tylenol and a fresh ice pack and I went back to sleep, so all in all it wasn't too bad... Thankfully!!!!!

I do have a house to get back in order.. with 2 toddlers here you know we got a workout with toys and such.. DH is off building shelves for my mother and I'm just doing nothing right now... Had to do a good deed for one of our renters and go restart their computer.... We had power outages on Wednesday night and it knocked their computer.. They are in Fargo and needed someone to help... So that's done... Just a little walk across the street....So the rest of the day is mine... No Black Friday shopping for this girl... We may run into Bismarck tomorrow after a funeral we must attend... DH will help with military rights...

Phyll, I don't care much for turkey, even if it is moist..... The deli stuff on a sandwish is okay... So I'd probably have done Jerky too.... I hide things all the time or I'd never get any.... DH is a bit of a garbage gut!!!!!

Hope all is well with everyone... I'll check back later.... Julie

[Apples2 19]

Mornin' Everyone...sounds like you all had a great TG. Ours was wonderful. Soooooooo much food. I, too, came home stuffed. A little "pouch packing" going on yesterday. Actually did not overdo on the amount of food I ate but so many different combinations of food did not sit well in the tummy.

Was up and ready to go at 5:15. Wanted to get into town for a sale. I am not one to venture out on Black Friday but knew it was safe in our little town. We have the store that has everything you could imagine. From farm parts, clothing, housewares to anything a person would need. Youngest DS (26) has to semi-dress up for work each day. Every year for Christmas, I buy him a new wardrobe. He is easy to please, unlike #1 DS. The store was doing 30% off clothing so I took advantage. Found him (everything Columbia brand) 7 shirts, 2 vests, 2 jackets, 6 prs of socks, 2 casual slacks, 2 pair of jeans and a nice pair of leather Merrill shoes all of under $500. We were never ones to spoil our sons and load them up with useless thing for Christmas or birthdays. But, when it comes to things they really need I like to help them out. He will thank us a few times (already has when I called him to get shoe size) and we know it's appreciated.

Anyway, that was my adventure for this morning. There was only one other person in the store for the first hour that I was there. Didn't get pushed, pulled or a thing taken out of my arms.

Melissa...have a great girl's weekend. Like Eva said, we all need those once in awhile. Good to hear your turkey was a success.

Have to somehow get this house in order, get my Christmas stuff out and organized. Going to try and get a share of it up on Sunday and Monday. (Takes me 9 hours just to do my one tree and then two other trees to think about). I know, I know....obssessive. But, we so enjoy it.

Everyone have a great day. I am pretty stoked about meeting Lori tomorrow. Might even get the last bits of my Christmas shopping done. I'm down to 2 small gifts to buy. Going to get my wrapping done today too and get DS's gift in mail and also have about 1/2 doz boxes to send to Iraq for local boys and friend's of my two DS's.

[Charlene K 1]

Apples, your pumpkin pie cake recipe was a hit. Thanks! OH, I ate some too. I managed to send most of the leftovers with my kids. I know I have gained weight ...........I just feel it. You would think having 25 people over for TG would burn some calories. I am still putting stuff up today. I did not go shopping. Living next to Houston there is just too much chaos for me. I used to do it when I had kids at home. Being a grandma has its perks. All the older ones want cash, cash, cash. The babies don't care.

[Apples2 19]

Apples, your pumpkin pie cake recipe was a hit. Thanks! OH, I ate some too. I managed to send most of the leftovers with my kids. I know I have gained weight ...........I just feel it. You would think having 25 people over for TG would burn some calories. I am still putting stuff up today. I did not go shopping. Living next to Houston there is just too much chaos for me. I used to do it when I had kids at home. Being a grandma has its perks. All the older ones want cash, cash, cash. The babies don't care.

Hang in there, Arlene...the holidays are a tough one. Try your hardest to get out and walk and exercise. I know that when I am trying to lose, I just hate undoing the time I have taken for exercise. I seem to be much more diligent when I have worked really hard physically.

Sometimes after a holiday meal, a person is retaining Water for a few days. Most likely more salt content than one is used to.:biggrin:

Christmas music is on...gifts being wrapped....singing...happy. Life is good!:thumbup:

[LittleOleMeinFL 1]

Hi guys~ We made it back to FL. Sooooooooooooooo many posts to catch up on! I will try and read some tomorrow. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Thanks Janet for telling everyone I said hi. It was a nice break from the computer though.

We had a good family time. I was very thankful for my family... for my Dad... and for all my blessings. I will update more tomorrow. Missed you all!

peasout~ Laura

[llkb4me 1]

Laura, Glad you and your family made it back safely. Your pictures of your family are wonderful, you look so good.

Laura K

[melloways 0]

If you've found a food product that has made your weight loss journey a lot easier, please post in the new thread "Great Food Finds" in the food and nutrion forum.

[ljv52 2]

Laura, you look so beautiful! Great pics -- also loved the ones of Nels in the limo on FB. Glad you made it home safe and sound. Thinking of Lori and Apples and wondering if they are together right now. I finally got my butt back in gear this morning and walked 8 miles. Did a little Black Fri. shopping yesterday morning and got a few things at great prices. But just went to a couple of stores in a town about 30 miles south of here -- didn't go to Des Moines where it would have been more insane. It was bad enough where I went. At one store they had those snuggies (blankets with arms) for $3 -- I wanted three -- I was trying to get to the bin to get my three and this woman practically pushed me down as she pushed past me with a huge trash bin (I was in a home depot type of store) and started filling it up with the snuggies. She ended up filling it to the brim - I actually couldn't resist so I said, "what are you going to do with all of those?" She said, "sell them on E-bay." So I'm going to call the store manager and let them know i think they should put a limit on how many people can buy of those types of things. For some reason that really bugged me. But, I got the three I wanted. Then I stood in line for an hour. But we also got my step son a $50 jacket for $10 so it was worth it. I don't think I'll bother doing that again. Apples, you got some good deals, good for you.

Truly enjoyed my Thanksgiving meal and a couple of my friends came over yesterday and we enjoyed some of the leftovers. Now I'm cooking the bones to make Soup. There's still some leftovers, but hopefully DH will get them eaten up or I'll be thowing them away. I don't want to eat any more of it. I did enjoy it all so much, but was a little surprised at how much I could actually eat. Stuffing went down a little too good if you know what I mean. And, that layered pumpkin pie went down pretty easily too. LOL. I did use the lower fat cream cheese though, so it probably isn't too bad.

Going to a 50th wedding anniversary party tonight. Looking forward to seeing a lot of my friends. I've been so busy last few months, haven't seen too many of them. They're having a full dinner/dance. Should be a lot of fun.

We got our tree up last night and I need to get back to getting the rest of my Christmas out. I have at least 12 huge tubs -- I do a lot of decorating for Christmas. DH is getting lights up outside. Our weather has been gorgeous -- in the 50s today -- in fact have the back door open it's so nice and sunny. It's been beautiful the past several days as well.

Phyl, sorry you had dry turkey. I have a convection oven and used convection roast and my 12 pounder was done in just under 3 hours and was good and juicy. That's why I love convection ovens. Should have bought a bigger turkey though cause DH is grumbling he didn't have enough leftovers. LOL. Typical.

Julie so glad you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving, glad you are feeling better.

TTYL. Linda

Edited November 28, 2009 by ljv52

[Apples2 19]

Just got back from meeting Lori. Was a bit farther drive than I thought but a beautiful day for a drive. We met for lunch at a bar and grill at the mall. Had a nice visit.

Lori is every bit as gracious and nice as she is in her posts. Only one surprise....she's much taller than I pictured her. If I had to describe her in one word I would have to say classy. Very beautiful woman and NO WRINKLES...very young looking.

Hope you all had a great Sat. Time to feed the crew. Will check back later.

[phyllser 3]

Just got back from meeting Lori. Was a bit farther drive than I thought but a beautiful day for a drive. We met for lunch at a bar and grill at the mall. Had a nice visit. Lori is every bit as gracious and nice as she is in her posts. Only one surprise....she's much taller than I pictured her. If I had to describe her in one word I would have to say classy. Very beautiful woman and NO WRINKLES...very young looking.

Hope you all had a great Sat. Time to feed the crew. Will check back later.

Great picture of two lovely ladies!!

[ljv52 2]

Great picture -- you both look gorgeous!!!

[Charlene K 1]

Apples and Great,............you two look marvelous!

[Apples2 19]

Thanks for the compliments Phyll, Linda and Arlene. I NEVER like photos of myself. I think most ppl are that way. I like my hair a bit shorter...feel like the longer it is, the more haggard I look. They always say the older you get, the shorter you should go. Gonna go in and get younger in a couple of weeks. New Christmas "do".

As I said last night, Lori and I had a lovely visit and was happy to drive just to see her.

Did a bit of shopping after she left. Walked out with empty arms. Was surprised that the mall was not very busy. I am done Christmas shopping and need nothing as far as clothes go. Most of the stores were having some pretty good deals. Could have loaded up but trying to just buy what I need...not what I want.

Trying to figure out some cookie recipes. Have a cookie exchange with a bunch of girls that I used to be in a Homemakers club with (a good 25-30 yrs since we were all together in club). Need to make 6 different kinds of Cookies. Will come up with something and most likely start baking on Sat. Exchange is on Monday. Kind of a nice way to do Christmas baking and have a nice variety.

In the thick of corn harvest. Long days, short nights. Think it is starting to catch up with me and DH and DS. We were all together this afternoon and all of us a little silly and bumpy!

[Meredith2424 0]

Apples and Lori~ You two look great! Im glad you got to meet one another and have a nice visit.

Laura~ Glad you are home safe and sound. Looks like all of you had a nice meal together. Back to the old grind, huh?

My Thanksgiving was very nice. I love seeing my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th cousins on my moms side. Suprisingly we are all so close since my mom is an only child. So every year my grandma (90yrs) and her sis (85yrs) make dinner and dessert for everyone. Grandma made 8 pies from scratch and Auntie Dort made dinner for everyone. She needed help this year though because her bad back. But, she loves to do it she says! It is just so wonderful getting together with everyone!

My band is soooo tight though. I have barely been able to eat anything since monday. I will call the office tomorrow and hopefully be able to get a little bit out. I know that Cheri recommended about .25cc's out. I'm at 6 cc's right now and last fill he put in 1cc. But, at 5cc's i wasn't happy with my restriction. Any other suggestions from anyone else? Just curious if anyone else has dealt with this when finding thier proper amoutn of restriction?

Thanks all! Love you!

Meredith

[Apples2 19]

Meredith...you gotta be able to eat. I guess I would contact my doc and have a bit taken out and see how it goes.

Happy to hear you had a nice Thanksgiving. Aren't grandmas and aunties the best? Sounds like they both took care of all of you.