Coffee and...For Thursday, Dec. 15, 2005

Here's the Daily!
Continued from:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/562469/
~julie~

looks like no one here?? or what??

For a moment did not know what woke me up but I must have moved and sciatica was giving me big problem so here I am taking some pain killers and looking for you but think I will go back to bed it is nearly 5 AM and very cold with the moon shining through the sky lights.

Heat wave here - 33 deg!! I took two over the counter allergy pills last night and slept like a babe...feels good to do that once in a while!! Arm still hurts, but I've had it sooo long, that it is just a part of me I guess.

I did strip and hop on the scale last night and was shocked to see how high my weight has gotten. I am totally ashamed at myself. I need to do something, but it will have to wait until after the holidays. How can I be such a pig...

My ears are itching so badly this morning- I could take a pencil and just dig away (I don't do this, but wish I could) I found some drops to put in them...hope they help.

Work out this morning, then coming home and digging into the mess - I've let things go too long again.

I sat and made up my menu for xmas, then talked to DIL and she said she didn't care for the main meal I was going to have- now I need to redo that. After eating munchies all day, I can't think of a thing that would be good to eat in the evening. I'd like to make something that doesn't take up a ton of time putting together.

Beautiful pendant!!! Don't tell me you made that....McCool. You guys give some special gifts!!

Kooger, those cookies look delish. I have a receipe for some molasses ones that look similar. DH hates molasses, but loves these cookies!! go figure...

DH said - what time do you want to go to the funeral parlor? WHAT - he's going!! Don't send the 2x4 - guess I dodn't need it.

Maria, hope that old leg pain subsides for you. Still going to the chiro?

Time for chow- leftover salmon partties - yummmm

Good Morning Everyone!

I'm sitting in an empty chat room again. *Sigh* Guess I have time to tell you all about yesterday, lol. We got around 7 inches of new snow, not the 9+ they scared me with. When I was out measuring I filled the birdfeeders again and I didn't even get back into the house before the cardinals were back. Then I got dive bombed by a chickadee, Lmbo.
Nathan didn't get out of bed until 1:30. What a slug, lol, but at least I didn't have to listen to him all morning. Jenna "helped" me make cookies and we made a few in her Easy Bake Oven until she tipped one into the bottom part. I had to take the whole thing apart to get the squished cookie back out and then we had to let it cool down so I could clean the melted choc chips off the inside. That was enough of that for the night. Then I had just gotten on the phone with Janis when Jenna bonked her head on the corner of the wall where the hallway meets the dining room. Janis can tell you, Jenna has great lungs, she bawled! And once I got her in my lap and took a look at her forehead I could see why, big lump and a black and blue line running right down the middle of it. Nathan brought the ice before I even asked for it! He can be so sweet sometimes, he was trying to make Jenna laugh, making funny faces at her and checking the wall to see if she broke it, lol.

I thought you all would be yelling at the awful joke I snuck in one of my posts yesterday, lol.

Janett just made it to chat, so I'll be back later.

mg

mg - that noise you heard yesterday wasn't an airplane, or an earthquake - that was the groan I let out when I read your post!!!

Good morning to all. Maria gets the early bird award today, but I hope you went back to sleep, Maria, and got a few more z's in before Samson needs another snow ball exercise. I thought the idea of a ball thrower out the window was a good idea! Your luncheon sounded delicious, I can't remember when I've had a steak out in a restaurant.

Sarv, you changed your menu because your DIL didn't like it? I'm coming to your house as a guest, what a deal! I hope your sinus/head whatever is better today, that's been coming back at you for quite some time. When your head hurts, you feel bad all over. Make your DH a list of things you;d like, maybe the last minute shopping will get a good result.

Packed up the gift tins with cookies yesterday, and now the remainder looks pretty scant, so I put some butter out to soften and will make another batch of something today. I noticed DH looking a little forlorn when he was what was left.

I'm not big on fruitcake, but my stepmom used to make a Christmas loaf called Bishop's Bread. Have to see if I can find the recipe. It's got cherries and nuts in it and she used to drench it with either sweet vermouth or brandy....maybe that's why it was so popular.

Julie, your embroidery project sounds interesting, we'll look forward to seeing what you do. DD did that a couple years ago and made some nice towels with kitties on them for me. I always have a backlog of undone projects for the winter months when I get cabin fever. My sister had sent me some colorful cloth birds when she was in Central America some years ago, and they have faded from the sun and gotten packed away, so they are on my list for a fix up. But first.....I have to find which tub of "decor" items I stashed them in downstairs, which will be a whole 'nother project. There are stacks, four deep, and DH has shuffled them around looking for other things,so I can't read the labels!!

Our snow wasn't so bad yesterday so I took a run out and picked up the color ink cartridge for my printer. Pictures print ok but written material comes out weird, so I think I have to dive into the cyberguts of the program and adjust the font. What fun.

Dcat, I'm sure the surgery won't wait for your MIL, but they have improved many of the techniques for heart surgery, so she may do very well with it. At her age, any kind of surgery is risky though, so we will keep her in our thoughts. She's fortunate to have you to help her.

As you can see, I'm having better success with the keyboard. I put it on the pull out shelf of the rolltop, so that my arms would be level with it, as it is much higher than a regular keyboard, because it is curved ......can't describe, I'll post a photo. I tried putting an extra cushion on the chair but then my knees won't fit under the desk!! Anyway, this position lets me get my hands set on the "home keys" and I don't make so many mistakes. Just the usual ones....LOL Oops, I just looked at the photo, and I see not dusting has caught up with me. Drat those brownies anyway! Haven't shown up in weeks.

I'm going to look for that news item on the fish mercury levels and post it, it was quite shocking.

Hello to anyone reading that I haven't commented to, you are not forgotten. MaryE, ***slow down*** you're making me dizzy.

Good morning all,

Got in late last night and did a quick read through all the messages but didn't write anything.

Working my way up yesterday's thread, defoe, will be thinking of your MIL and all of you. Sounds like a difficult time and at Christmas time too. Hope the surgery, if she has it, is successful.

Also hope you get that baking done today.

kooger - I didn't expect to see Boxing Day mentioned on this thread. LOL But I know you've got Canadian background. Hope you are able to get the day off.

mccool - LOVE the pendant. I think I'll have to take a trip down your way and find your shop. And the cookies make me hungry even if I did just eat breakfast.

Don't count on my having more chances to relax once I retire. LOL
there's more chamber music to play (and maybe time to organize sessions), family history to research, my handbell choir, and still volunteering at the FC. Might even start sewing again. I don't think there's a chance of being bored :-)

tgif - you're right on when you say next year I won't have to be running the FC. At least I won't have to deal with the files that are accumulated each time the program is open.

Could continue going up yesterday's thread, but I might not get this done before aquafit, so to others I don't mention, I still read your posts with interest.

hope43 - are you new? Don't remember your name. If so, welcome. But did you really expect to find people at 4 am?

sarv - re the weight. Every day is a new day. Don't try to lose weight over the holidays - you'll just end up getting depressed, but do try to stay within limits so that you don't put on a lot more weight and it won't be so depressing to start working on it. And if you fall off the wagon, just get back on the next day.

Yesterday, was at the FC all day. Got home about 5:15, but got the initial data entry done. We had 47 families come through for food and another 20 just for the Christmas goodies. Total for food - 180, which was not as busy as I had thought it might be based on old records of the last time Christmas was on Sunday.

Was home just long enough to shed the fleece top and replace it with a sweater when we went out for dinner. DH came along with me for the dinner, then left while the rest of us played string quartets all evening. We read through a Haydn Quartet, then a Schubert Quartet and then tried the 2nd Brahms Quartet. Much more difficult and with many cross rhythms. As one of the group said, "you need to born with an alarm clock in your head". Add the difficult notes, many of which were left on the floor along the way, and the fact that I don't know the work even to listen to, and the Brahms was a real challenge. Haven't played quartets in a long time - in fact this was the first chamber music session for my 14 mo old viola. But hope to do more when I retire.

Today, "day off" . Aquafit in a few minutes. Must stop by the FC to touch base with co-worker whose job really finishes today. My replacement starts working with us full-time tomorrow and we overlap till the last Friday of January.

Red Hat group is going to a nursing home to sing Christmas carols this afternoon and I think I'll join them. A short bell practice this evening to work on a piece for January 8. Told DH not to be in his office when I get home so that we can get Christmas decs up and work on Christmas letter.

We are supposed to have a good day weather-wise today, but between 15 and 30 cm of snow tomorrow. Actually, it's a good thing. We have snow on the ground but not enough to provide a good insulating blanket for my treasured hostas.

Hope you all have a good day.

Ann

I found the article from the Chicago Tribune, it is quite long and would fill the entire page. If you want to read it, and it is well worth reading, you can sign on the Tribune's web site, register your name and read the series. If you don't want to continue membership, (and get daily news) you can quit, but they often have indepth consumer articles. I copied a portion of it, and can email it to you if you want it....but it's only a segment from the beginning.

This message was edited Dec 15, 2005 8:01 AM

M5...I just read it. Thanks....so much for being healthy....

Hap

Morning all
Okay, I've had my head in the clouds for the past couple of days, so I'm going to try and do better today. I've read all your posts and enjoyed them ... but just haven't had time to comment. LOL I never knew kidney beans and tomatoes could be so interesting. And, all those cleaning supplies. Boy, I've always put this one over here and that one had a rubberband on it and ... well you get the picture. No more of that. LOL Now I can scan and be sure what I'm using is *what* I really want to use. Those suckers all have trigger sprayers on them. LOL Anyway, I just keep thinking of new things to scan.

Hope, so glad to see you here today. I'm never up that early ... but come on in and soon as I get here I'll fix a fresh cup of coffee.

Ann, you *really* make me tired. I am *very* jealous, though, as I'd still love to hear your practices. It doesn't sound at all like you'll be getting bored.

Maria, hope your leg feels better whhen you get up and around.
Sarv, everyone's right ... just try not to go overboard during the holidays. Then you won't have so much to accomplish when time to get on that wagon. LOL You're already headed in the right direction. At least you exercise. :)

To those I've missed ... I'll try to do better next time round. Got something to do for the DH.
Hugs ... Elaine

Morning All,

Just a quick Hi to All before I have to get my substantial butt upstairs and get ready for work. Another busy day in the Salon,,,,,wish it would stay this way all year!

I did read all of yesterday's thread this morning,,,every ones nice and busy, getting ready for Christmas.

Didn't even get a chance to get in there last night to comment on anything. Got done in the Salon about 7,,,,then got my boots on and dressed warm,,,had to go down to Gran's and snow blow her driveway,,,,Bill got home and finished ours up.

He started it while I still had customer's here. Got a phone call and had to go somewhere, so when he got home I already had Gran's done and he finished ours. Came in the house and immediately my hair started melting,,,looked in the mirror,,,looked like I had a snow hat on,,,LOL,,,so, I picked the snow out, towel dried it and wore the towel around my shoulders the rest of the night.

Got dinner going around 8:20,,,I hate eating that late,,,then I sat and watched a little TV while we were having dinner, took a little time to get on DG and look at some threads. Clicked into the Daily and decided there was more there to read than I wanted to before going to bed,,,so,,,,read it all this morning,, now I can't remember all I read,,,LOL

They say the mind is the first thing to go. Well, I think mine is gone,,,,,LOL

hope,
were you up late or early??? LOL

Maria,
Hope your feeling better. Your lunch sounded very good,,,especially the Bloody Mary.

M5,
Don't worry about a little dust among friends,,,,if you hadn't mentioned it prolly no one would have noticed,,,,Keyboard looks very cool...glad your getting used to it.

sarv,
Ach, don't you know,,,, Never step on a scale before you are ready to start revising your eating????? LOL,,,Come Jan. 2nd is the day I will get on the scale,,,maybe I'll wait and not get on it the firat week,,,,will eat different, then get on it,,,,won't be SO shocked then,,,LOL

mg,
Hope Jenna's head is o.k. and her goos egg isn't too big,,,poor thing,,,,and wow, Nathan ,,,what a good boy.

Ann,
You make me tired just reading how busy you are,,,LOL Have a good afternoon with the Red Hatter's and singing,,,will you be taking your viola along to play also? Hope you get all the secorations and you letter done tonight.

M5,
What is that article about? May pop in there to read it.

Well, gotta go,,,,hope everyone has a good day.

Kelly

Edited to add,
Elaine, we must have posted at the same time and I Never hit the preview button. You just keep scanning your heart out,,LOL



This message was edited Dec 15, 2005 8:53 AM

Hi all, been reading in between my baking...well making homemade caramel corn. Here is a picture. It is pretty tasty! I will be parceling it out to friends today and keeping some for us too.

Bet you can't eat just a handful,

Joy

Boy what a slug I am today. I stayed in bed until 8:30 this morning. DH said he came to check on me several times, as he thought I might have expired, as it so unusual for me to sleep that late. Usually have a headache, but don't so far.

DH and DSIL have gone to take DMIL to the surgeon's office. I will tell you what they find out when he returns. This may alter holiday plans extremely.

Sarv, you are changing your Christmas menu because DIL doesn't like something. I would go ahead and make the menu, and maybe add something that she likes. Because of the way we all cook, there is bound to be something she will eat, and SHE AIN'T GONNA STARVE!! Did you notice my yelling? Now if I knew a guest was allergic to something that would be different, but it's my home, my food, and if you want to be a guest, you eat what you are offered. Or you may not be invited again. And keep your fanny off the scales until after Christmas. No use getting depressed this early!

101 thanks for the update on Darius. Glad she made it to Molly's. Did she say what progress has been made on Molly's utilities? Happy scanning to you today. I laughed about being in jammies until noon, cause you're too busy with the toy.

ViolaAnn, you make me tired just reading what all you do. I got busier after I retiried, and often comment that I don't see how I had time to work!! But it will be different, as you can pick and choose what you do.

Meezer, have you started on the embroidery yet, or are you still trying to find supplies? Take it easy and don't burn out.

Maria, sorry about your leg pain. I know what it feels like. Hurt my back couple of days ago, and still have twinges, when I move a certain way.

To all others that I didn't address, not ignoring you, just have to get moving.

GardenGeek, I did laugh about your snow cap!!
We are getting rain here today.

When someone said mind was the first to go, just came back from DM's and she offered to give me some sweat pants that didn't fit her anymore. Now can you imagine this, she weighs about 275 and wears a 24W, and I weight 120, and wear a size 8. Had it been anybody other than her I would have been highly insulted. Can you see me in those pants? Might just have to take a pic of this. LOL

Later all

Good morning everyone. I just spent the last hour catching up with email, snail mail and the posts on the coffee thread.... and my mind is blank. Well, a clean slate isn't all that bad, very uncluttered.

Elaine, every time I think of all the fun you are having with the Scanacan, I have to smile. I wish I could be there to see your joy in person but it does come through quite nicely in your posts.

Maria, I hope you are feeling better. Did you ever get to the chiropractor? The moonlight through skylights sounds so nice. I always enjoy the bright moonlight on the snowy landscape, which is just what we have had the past few nights. Maybe I will experiment with my camera and try to get some pictures. Our yardlight makes everything an erie green so I already know I have to get out beyond that. I can see fences a quarter mile away on moonlit snow, see the horses in the pasture and the cattle in a neighbor's field, the wheel line in another place that used to be in a straight line when it was being used last summer for irrigation but has now become very crooked with animals rubbing on it and the wind blowing some of it down the hill. I hope it doesn't break apart and end up in the fence. One year a section of a wheel line in the neighbor's field above the road got loose and rolled down through the field, through the fence and into the road. Somebody saw it and moved one end of it and tied it to the fence before anybody ran into it. I guess I need to show you a picture of a wheel line. You city folks probably don't have a clue as to what I'm talking about.

Hello Hope, come back when you can. You'll find the goodies on the counter. Oh, and speaking of goodies, Joyous, your popcorn looks wonderful. I have a weakness for popcorn.

Sarv, I know you love to eat, but your eating habits concern me. I know, they concern you too because you mention it often. People overeat for a lot of reasons. Maybe you should try to find out what your reasons are and what you can do to have more control. It would be a good gift to yourself, and your koffee klatch friends would love to see "less" of you!

Dcat, keep us informed about the surgery your MIL needs. I'll keep her in my prayers.

Mg, I hope your daughter's head is feeling better today. That sounds like a big owie and it was nice of your son to help without being asked.

Well, now I'm halfway down the list of morning posts, running out of time, I'm not dressed yet and it's after 8am, and the poor horses think they are starving. I'll be going to town today to do my usual stuff that gets done on Tuesdays most weeks. Same week, I'll just miss some discounts and the lucky number day at the local discount store, but there is lots of stuff I need to get today. A lot of people go into the store just because of the lucky number thing and then most people see something they need to buy. Of course the lucky number board is way back in the store. They know what they're doing. Some days I just walk in, check to see if I won anything, use the bathroom (clean) and go out the door.

GG the article is about mercury levels in fish, and Dcat, Julie is the one diving into embroidery.

Back to work...

Well, got up at 6:30, turned on the TV, school delayed 2 hours. Went back to sleep, got up at 8:30, school canceled. WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Fell back to sleep, and finally woke up at NOON!!!!! 3 kids, 4, 7 and 9, running around the house unsupervised. Thankfully it wasn't too bad. I do feel alot better, swigged my Nyquil and slept. That stuff is amazing.
I really need to go through the kids rooms today, more toys for a needy church in our area, and their rooms are just trashed, stuff all over the floors they never play with. Kind of glad this Christmas is going to be so "lean"..... they get too much each year, and it is just broken or played with 1 time. Its so silly. I remember we would get one "big" present a year.... one year it was a black and white TV for our rooms (me and my sister, 2 rooms, 1 TV. I really think my parents were asking for a war LOL) Another year it was a record player LOL coloring books in the stockings, an orange in the toe, maybe some little stuff in the stocking and wrapped but nothing like the extravagance that seems to happen in so many homes today. I am guilty of it too. Not this year tho LOL I do want to publicly thank all of you who have helped and prayed for us, without getting into trouble by admin I hope. I really feel I have found a family here.... and one that accepts me just as I am. More than I can say for my "real Life" family. So thanks to you all. Hugs!!!!
Gonna try to remember what I read above LOL.....

Mary you make me tired just reading your posts!! Do you have extra hours in your day we don't know about??

Elaine, told a friend about your Christmas gift, and how excited you were..... she doesn't have a computer so she isn't a member of Daves (I found a computer for her for Christmas, free from a friend of mine) and she told me to say "You go Girl!!" She has a daughter with cerebral palsy, Haley is basically a 6 year old infant, so Gwynne understand the helplessness, and how the little things can make the biggest difference. I smile each time I read your posts.

M5...... the tuna article.... sigh..... something else I thought was safe. Pretty soon we'll all be drinking an organic slurpee for each meal :((

Maria, hope you are better today. I am... so I want everyone to be too :)

Dcat... hope your MIL comes through the surgery just fine.

Sarv, OMG finally someone who understands the urge to stick a pencil in your ear to relieve the itch!!!! My ears itch so bad when I am not feeling well.... I make them sore trying to make the itch go away :( What drops did you use? Did they help? PLMK

I know I am forgetting half of you and I"m sorry.... gonna take me a bit to learn all the names....

OH! m_g..... how is Jenna's head today? Did they have school? It is raining here now, totally gross!!

Talk soon
Janis

Pain shootong down my leg has mostly gone, just wish that sciatica woulds stop completely, Chiropractor does not help at all, exercises just makes ii worse, best thing is just walking. My daughter is coming shortly, she is making table arrangement for her Quaker meeting house X-mas luncheon tables, I think she needs 16. I am going to make something for Richards's grave and his parents.
Went out earlier to cut some evergreen branches, was disappointed at no berries on the cedar trees, guess the birds ate them all. Went to my English holly and the deer had a feast on it, same thing last year, grrrr!
It was hard tramping through the icy snow besides Samson was a pest the minute I cut something and put it in the basket he pulled it out and took off shaking it lol, I finally had to put him in his crate lol so I could
continue in peace. I always forget my phone when I go out of doors, should I fall and hurt my self no one would know, must remember the next time!!! Remind me, lol

Would you belief I'm out of birdseeds? I am so forgetfull, and tomorrow very bad weather is coming, temp is rising just right for snow have to get some later.
Mizzer, I stay on the porch that is open and throw the balls for Samson.

How to you put so much work in in one day, Ann? perhaps I did do once a long time ago but not anymore.

I am with you , Mary, about Sarv's diet!!!

Sarv, please eat only what is good for you, you will get used to it, you are a very determined woman, you can do it!!!

Hello to everyone else, love all of you!

Eating lunch at the computer- pardon the crumbs!!

Mary, I know I eat wacky - but I am a tall 5'8" and carry my load well. Just would like to drop 10 -20 lbs and feel wonderful. I am in the normal range, so I don't worry much about it (unless it is this time of the year!) I do have a sweet tooth and go off on binges....that I would like to control! My exercising 4x a week has made an amazing difference in how I feel. More energy etc. I am embarassed that I talk so much about food!!! I will try to control that too! It is just one of my loves in life and with family always over, it seems like I am always fixing something for them!! And I love reading cookbooks!! LOL in my coffee klatch group I am a skinny one!!!

Woof, the meds for the ears are a prescription called 'clobetsasol propionate' - it works, but I need to get an updated bottle - mine has expired. I agree about the ' getting too much ' for xmas. I do it myself tho so I shouldn't complain! This year DH and I aren't going to get anything for each other (but I got him 2 shirts and a shop vac) and bought myself treats, so guess we aren't being honest!! I do stick roughly to a $$ amount for everyone. Go over a little, or under a bit - it all works out.

My DIL that doesn't like the meal is a real sweetie (like a daughter) We are having a ton of muchies all day and in the evening I thought I would do a big pot of chili/and the works - she doesn't like chili. That's ok, I don't mind her telling me...We'll work it out...baked chicken, cheesy potatoes, and a salad. She'll like that...

After exercising I went with a friend in to see her daugher (in her first apt with 3 other girls -all college age) It was so cute and hip....oh to be young again!! But you should have seen their bedrooms - absolute cyclones - clothes all over and drawers pulled out!! Then we went on to a book store- I could spend hours in one of those- bought myself a new CD - it's blarring now= like it?? LOL

Well, DH will be home in 1/2 hr and the beds still arent made- so I gotta bust butt for 30 min!

Hi All,

Just checking in for a minute. Library time is short. I haven't been here in coffee since Thanksgiving I think and can't even dream of catching up on all the dailies.

Suffice it to say, we are still alive and kicking, having some inconvenient waiting on power to get strung out and hooked up. No idea yet on the timing. Trying to hang in here and keeping the local gas station in business buying fuel for the generator, water for drinking and sponge bathing and ice for the coolers (igloo coolers I mean).

Maybe we will have power by Christmas, my optimism is being sorely tested.

I miss seeing yall every day, have already gone through Dave's withdrawals and seem to be doing okay as long as I keep busy. I'm posting more over at the Changes IIb thread. Will do some pictures whenever my own computer gets up and running on internet service.

Oops, 19 minutes left and so many threads to catch up on.

Molly
:^)))

Darius should be back posting as soon as she gets her computer hooked up at her sisters' house this afternoon.

Hi Molly,
Good to hear from you. I don't remember if we've met, if we haven't, nice to meet you. Darius was keeping everyone informed as to your unfortunate electrical problems.

Glad she made the trip o.k. and looking forward to hearing from her. Thanks for letting us know.

Good Luck with your electricity getting straightened out.

Kelly

I swear I had good intentions today but I am so easily distracted. Got the color cartridge for my printer and started on some photos for frames, and made on for my DS and DIL, and one for me, of Oskar. The one for them is Oskar and Max together, so I think tthey will like it. I got the frames for very little at the Lang outlet, and just repainted the frame color and did a little embellishment.

I tend to go a bit overboard too, especially when I find something I know will be perfect. Got a pasta cooker with the insert for draining for DIL, when we had dinner there she was making pasta in a small shallow pan. That is so **wrong**. Then there's all the other things I bought, which still need wrapping...

Think I can manage cookies this afternoon, then I'm stopping for the day. At least three of us got a good night's sleep...I took one of the OTC sleep remedies and slept from 10 to 6, which is 2 hours over my usual. Felt good.

Ann and MaryE make the rest of us look like we are hardly moving!
I did manage to get dressed early though. Snow days are really a pain aren't they? I used to dread them because I still had to go to work and I worried all day that the kids would burn the house down. When they were little and went to a sitter, or I had someone to watch them it was fine, but once they hit their teens, there isn't a sitter in the world that would sign up for that. We all lived through it though.

Cookies ....hmmm better get going or there will just be a puddle of butter on the counter.

I need some advice. Perhaps I ought to post this on the recipes forum but I'd rather start here. My spousal unit wants to make chocolate raspberry bars but more like a raspberry-filled chocolate than the common cherry-filled chocolates . We don't know how to make that kind of chocolate and what to use for a mold. Shape isn't important, it co uld be a bar or "drops"...............

HiYa, Everyone! I'm just now safely in Kissimee at my sister's, after 2 nights @ Molly's... and she's still without power. We all slept in the LR (Molly, her 30+ son Jeremy, 2 dogs, 3 birds, me, and a small ceramic heater run by the generator overnight. I decided to come early to Kissimmee for Christmas as my sister has heat, runing water, and a bed for me, LOL.

I won't even try to catch up on the doings of the past 4 days yet, maybe tomorow.

Missed Everyone!

Hi Darius! So good to see you've made it safe and sound. You *should* have been here. LOL I know I know ... I'm not the *only* person in the world, but we could have had so much fun scanning! LOL The poor DH didn't get supper until 8:30 again last night. He's a good one, though. Never complains. :)

Sarv, wish I had your motivation for exercising. I *really* do need to get back on my treadmill. Hmmm, wonder if it's got a barcode? hehehe JUST TEASING y'all.

M5, when you get those cookies done please pass me one. I just put on a fresh pot of coffee and that does sound good. I haven't baked a thing this year. Y'all are really making me look lazy.

Hi Kelly. Don't work too hard today. I enjoyed your snow story, but bet you were cold!

Hi also to you, Janis. You're a better person than I am with all those kids around. LOL I love m ... zpecially when they're someone elses! :)

Mary, did you get the ice chopped and are the horses okay?

Maria, sorry you are having that leg problem. Hope it won't bother you tonight.

Defoe, will be praying for your DMIL. It was great talking to you this morning.

Okay, who's kid hurt her head? Can't remember ... but I remember reading it. LOL Give her a kiss for me, okay? Sounds like she has a real sweet big brother.

To those I haven't address, didn't mean to slight you ... just can't remember it all. Oh, I do remember seeing Molly, though. Hi Molly!
Okay, catch y'all later. I'm trying to convince Kota that she won't melt in the rain. She's only gone out 1 time today. Kidneys must surely hurt. LOL
hugs ... Elaine
edited cause I can't spell. LOL

This message was edited Dec 15, 2005 2:59 PM

Hi everyone,

Got some time this afternoon. And I just checked my Internet account status and I've got almost 18 hours left that I can use before the end of tomorrow. Woo Hoo! (Not that I have 18 hours to be on line) LOL

The Red Hats sang for half an hour at the nursing home, then went for coffee. All within 10 minute drive of home. Didn't take the viola along, but ended up being the one setting the pitches for the music. After letting them settle into what seemed to be a comfortable range, I just sorted out the relative pitch from one carol to the next. (We had booklets with music in them).

Janis - I think I remember previous messages from you shortly after I joined this thread, but we haven't seen you in along while have we? Nice to hear from you.

Maria, Glad to hear that the pain in your leg has mostly gone. Let's hope the rest of it diminishes.

Sarv, I got the impression from your posts that you were much more than 20 pounds over where you wanted to be. 20 pounds is manageable, I hope. I'd like to get rid of that much myself. LOL The exercise DOES help, doesn't it?

Molly, I guess I've been too busy, but I didn't realize that you STILL didn't have power. I sure hope you have it soon.

m5 wrote, "Ann and MaryE make the rest of us look like we are hardly moving!" Maybe, but I bet the rest of you are better prepared for Christmas than I am. Running the FC, helping make other people's Christmas means I never quite get mine together. But you know, I don't care. I don't seem to miss anything even if my preparations are late. And if I send Christmas greetings after receving greetings from friends, I can respond to their messages.

Darius, so glad you had a safe journey and look forward to hearing more from you when you are ready.

Nearly 4:30 now. Have to change out of the purple. Maybe I'll practice viola a bit and grab something to eat before heading out to bell practice. DH never gets home from hanging out with the grandkids before I leave; so we do dinner independently on Thursdays.

TTYL.

Ann

Was just surfing for some Red Hat clip art. If any of you are Red Hatters or sympathetic to Red Hatters, you'll enjoy this art and poem -
http://www.angelfire.com/ca5/catalen/ACaterinaGranphics/Aamazingsurfergramma.html

Ann

Oh Ann, that was cute! LOL

Hi all,
Sometimes I wonder why I bother - we had a cold few days here in Texas a weeki ago - temp hit 13 overnight. I had those cozy covers on the outside taps and heat on in the house. Well DH needed water outside today turned the tap on and water started to come out through the brick on the outside of the house. Called a plumber - we had an 1.5 inch burst in the pipe between the bib and the safety cut out!! He fixed it OK but now I have a 12" hole in the dry wall and the brick outside to fix. This is Texas for heavens sake not Alaska!! and I had wrapped and lagged everything - neighbours did ziltch and they don't have a problem!! I think I'm inheriting Darius black cloud, right now evertything I touch is going pear shaped !!

Glad you made it safely Darius.
Molly I really do feel for you, but at least when its done it will be your own home - think positive.
Elaine - you sound so happy, playing with your new "toy". It is making Christmas special for everyone who helped just a teeny bit to make it happen. Thank-you for sharing your joy.
Maria glad the aches and pains have eased a bit, but do remember to take that phone when you go outside. Especially so if you haven't got your mobile hot water bottle - the one with the hair and the wet tongue - with you!
Ann and Mary E - I'm just exhausted reading what you are up to!!
Sarv - time to use the D word is Jan 2 not right now, but I have a campaign planned too. My butt will outgrow my chair if I don't do something about it!!!! LOL
I do hope the wee one with the haed bump is OK. Bangs on the head are not nice- even little ones can cause trouble.
Ok off to stuff socks in the hole in the wall till morning - (((GOBs))) To those I've missed, sorry just can't keep up with everyone!! LOL

Carol
The Odd One

I *had* to sit down for a minute...and guess where I ended up? LOL Of course! DG in the "Coffee and..."

I dont know about y'all, but I'm looking forward to Dec *26*!!

Darius and Molly!! It's SO good to hear from BOTH of you ...and in the same thread!! Yahoo!!! Molly, just hang in there...10 years from now you'll look back on these inconveniences and think "You know, we *did* have fun...without electricity and a septic." No...You *will*, I promise! I did the identical same thing when Eric and I first moved into our house in '78. Cooked on the Coleman stove, ice chests for a fridge, but we didn't need heat as it was mid-summer.

.....time passing.....
I started writing this post at least 2 hours ago. In between I've made two batches of spritz cookie (DH insisted on "helping"...and insisted it happen *now*...arghhhhhhh)

Anyway...sorry I didn't get more time to finish...

Maybe later.

~julie~

Wood spirit, I am not sure as to how to make the rasberry bars but do know that when making chocolate covered strawberries we use chocolate chips and a some crisco shortening to help them stay smooth and reharden. Hope that helps...

To the rest, I am yawning from all your activities. I have no interior decorations up, DH put the lights on the outside a week ago and thats as far as we have gotten. Just can't seem to grab the holiday bug this year.

Casey

Just doing an evening check in before I watch the finale of the apprentice.

DS/DIL came over to pick up a table, three tableclothes, coffee pot, trifle bowl, jello mold and an xmas dish. Half my stuff ends up over at their house. They are hosting three galas this Christmas. She'll learn after a couple years of doing it to step back and let others take a turn. But right now she loves doing it! I just chuckle at her.

Hey, do you all think I am a BLIMP???? Just because I talk about food all the time??? I think at my (our) age, most of us would like to drop 20 lbs. They just creep on a couple a year. I weighted 113 after my last child - 27 yrs ago!! Won't tell ya what it is now tho...LOL

Darius/Molly - so glad to hear from both of you. I agree- you will laugh about your adventure - next year...

Julie- I tried making the spritz cookies, but mine wouldn't let go from the squisher. I think I need a new one. I'm gonna make those rice krispie wreaths- everyone here likes them. Also making a peanut cookie that is to die for - my problem is I just cant leave them alone.

Okus- in Texas and your water froze?? How weird is that! Maddening I bet.

Time to get the jammies on, grab a pillow and blanket and hit the couch = nighty nite everyone!

Sarv, have gone from a size 1 to a size 8-9 in just under 2 years SIGH

I don't mind the weight, just where it is LOL

Did I hear someone say size 1? Haven't seen that since I was 18! LOL

Ha! 18? I might have fit in that at the ripe old age of 2! Seriously, I've never even seen a size 1. Once when I was much, much younger, I shopped at a more expensive store than usual and found that I could probably fit two of me in a supposed size 4. It seems that the more expensive the clothes, the smaller they're sized (at least in my experience).

McCool, you are absolutely right. I used to buy sample clothing from a sales rep, when I weighed 110, and wore an 8. I've doubled that size, but I'm not telling anybody what I weigh! The Fat Fairy has been dropping about five pounds a year on me since I turned 50. I have said many times the only good thing my ex did was aggravate me to skin and bones. Now I just shop in the jumbo dept. And, frankly, I don't really care all that much. Maybe if I were 30 or 40 I might, but I'm well past that.

Good to hear from Darius. I hope Molly gets some power soon, it's got to be getting pretty tiresome running that generator. She should call the mayor or whoever the powers that be are in that burg, and tell them that two homeless helpless women are waiting on the red tape to get power/licenses/what all, I've found that sometimes going to the top and groveling gets results! (I got a new top for my range didn't I?)

Sarv, food is good. Good food is even better. Talk about it all you want, I'm with you. Just say diet to me and I get instantly famished, and have to eat the first thing I see. Doesn't matter, eat or not eat, I stay about the same weight year round.

So, if you don't finish everything by Christmas, what happens? Nobody loves you any more? LOL I figure I do the best I can, try to plan ahead, and let the chips fall where they may. Speaking of chips,.......

Gotta go see who The Donald picks for his new apprentice. I wonder if he will hire both of them, they have both done so well. The rest were a bunch of bozos. Zenthura Blond especially. LOL

Say Good night Gracie.....

Woofens I too have managed to gain over 20 pounds in the past year when I stayed the same weight for over 20 years. Seems I hit 40 and **poof** I now have a belly and hips.


Okus, we have a few freezing nights here too and that is very rare for us. We had a special on the news about how this is suppose to be the coldest winter on record here. So far they have it right.

40 did it to me too had to start a new diet to fight that one LOL.
Catching up hope all are well!!!
Mags

Hi Magoo. Hope that you are feeling better and all the festivities went wonderfully. Read, catch up and Relax.

Good Evening All,,,

Ummmmm, What is this size 1 ya'll are talking about????? Is there really such a size????If indeed there is,,,I could prolly fit into it,,,,,at least my lower leg may,,,LOL

I think I went from a 2T to a size 22 overnight ,,,,but,,,,come Jan. 2nd,,,,ya'll won't even know me anymore when you see me in coffee and........,,,LOL

Kelly