Today was an awesome day. Bob got up early with me and we went out to pick up our order of Tangelos and on to the Mennonite Market... Did a little shopping and then back home again.. I sorted through some old coffee mugs and will be putting them in the spring yard sale for the Hope Fund at church..I know I will have tons more too. Christmas stuff especially.. I have waaaaay too much in the way of Christmas ornies.. I just keep the ones with sentimental value to them like some hand painted ornies my mom did and little gifts of ornies from a lot of really nice online friends I have met over the years.. Carolyn, It is so amazing when you can get more order in your life by purging what is just not working to the good in your life.... Hanging on to what is doing absolutely nothing but draining you either financially or physically or spiritually is not worth it... Kick it to the curb or give it away or sell it or donate it... but yeah.. don't let it drag you down.. sometimes things can act as an albatross around you neck..and will keep you from doing other things that really are worth while... besides, if you give it away or donate or so... then someone else may garner a really great blessing from it.. and guess what... your blessings will increase too..Just because you remove something from your life that is doing you no good, doesn't mean it doesn't have value.. to someone else it may be just fantastic.. It is turning cold for the next week, so walking will be brisk.. and not really long treks.. just a mile and a half.. and that's it.. toes get cold after that.. lol So ar this year I have walked every day.. and still watching my intake of calories.. so it's all good. Keep on keeping on folks.. and thanks for the squeezy hugs Dee.. we always can use a hug or two.. Stay well everyone.. CS

Last 15 months: Dec 2003- Went ot Alaska for Christmas w/ my family, first time in 15 years. Wonderful. January 2004 - DH decided he needed to separate and went looking for a place of his own. I received emails, cards and support from my SS sisters and DH & I went to counseling and started some work. May 2004 - My yearly visit with my Kentucky family and MADDIE! Loved it and LOVE her. Spring 2004 - Exchanged a series of emails with DeeMarie and we learned a lot about each other. Very fun and lovely conversations. Beautiful person, she is. June 2004 - Surrendered my dog to keep my husband. Painful but necessary. Again, lots of support from here. Summer 2004 - Spent living in Alaska. Drove up and down the state and had a killer time. Loved it but was happy when I got home in the fall, then I got homesick for Alaska - lol. September 2004 - Went to NY and met Raeanne and her DH- visit too short and had TOO much fun! The people are so fantastic that we're thinking of moving to that coast in a few years! Scoping weather and property now. DH started 2nd year of law school - only 1 more to go after this. I started back to college to finish a degree I started many years ago. All children in school. Dec 2004 - Had DH's family here for holidays. So stressful, DH blew a gasket and almost left again. Back to counseling...and deal making. Lots better now that family's gone. January - Signed up for another college load; continuing to work toward that piece of paper I want. Becoming aware that time flies when you don't have any. Signed up at WW Core Program. Determined to lose weight and be healthy. Still here, after many years and still checking in really regularly. Planning a trip to east coast in March to scout a place to live when we finally move. KYSusie~ Good to hear from you. Keep on truckin' toward wellness. Back to the laundry and paper I'm supposed to be writing! Check in, everyone!

Good Friday all, Lynn, good to see you post. I think the actions of your co-worker are juvenile and I think you should tell her when you are calm and unemotional that you really appreciate her being in the "spirit" but we are at work and it's inappropriate to hide under a desk......geesh, I am trying to visualize this whole scene in an adult setting. Don't bring in crickets.....sorry, BJ, but why should the poor little crickets suffer. Let us know how you choose to deal with it. You should not be embarrassed!! What adult is going to think someone in the office is going to jump out from under a desk???? Hello?? BTW, I love letting my freak flag fly................I love the song that expression originated from too! IN my case however, I really do let my chickens out and it helps me let my hair down!! LOL Maddie, good for you coming to NY! I hope you guys have a blast. I am trying to figure out how I can join you but the time frame is so small for the miles I have to go. Still, it could happen! Besh, GO SOX!! I know your part of the universe is coming to life......or is it death? LOL BJ, thanks for the menu idea. That sounds delish and totally fattening! I will let you know how it comes out. The weekends are the hardest for me too. One of my strategies for staying on track it to have my meals planned ahead and stick with it. I am sure it's hard to avoid having fattening stuff in the house with kids around. I can only suggest that you make a designated area ( a cabinet) for the snacks and goodies for the kids and don't go in it. I have heard that works - out of sight - out of mind - usually! The temptations are everywhere and you have to just make up your mind to avoid them. Since you want to post your menus how about posting tomorrows menu today and stick to it??? That's what I do even though I don't post it here - it helps. Raeanne, when do you leave for your wine trip? I hope the fires are under control soon. I too am thinking of Tikanis and hope she is okay. Maybe she will check in with us soon. DH is heading to some part of CA in his truck...on the road again.........I don't know the name of the town, I forgot to ask last night! Tomorrow I am heading out to Woodstock, VT for the weekend and will be home Monday afternoon. I cannot wait. This is one of my favorite places to ride. There are hundreds of miles of horse trails. It's a very horse friendly place to visit, not to mention stunningly beautiful. The link below has some nice photos. I hope we hear from everyone today. Here is a link that might be useful: Woodstock, VT

Good Saturday morning, everyone! It's sunny and warming up here to 79 this afternoon. I've been up and out to my church women's monthly meeting. Our guest speaker today spoke about her husband's death from breast cancer 5 years ago. He was diagnosed 20 years ago, and with chemo, he had 7 cancer-free years, then they found spots on his lungs, and with Tamoxifen (sp?) he had another 5 good years before it moved to his brain. I'd never thought about men having breast cancer before, but it accounts for 10% of the BC deaths these days. Donna, that's great that your construction is under way! I'd love to see progress pics. Suzanne, at least you're rained in with your hubby at home, right? It could always be worse. LOL Tikanis, I hope you find your perfect bike and new clothes. Have fun out in the garden, too! BJ, I'm sending you good vibes and comforting hugs. Please pass them on to your friends. How sad for everyone. We played canasta with our friends last night, and it was almost like old times. Lots of laughs, bad jokes, and ribbing about our playing. We've been erratic about playing since our friend Larry died, but I hope we get back to playing regularly because it's good for all of us to get together. I think that hubby and I are going sightseeing this afternoon. There's a town called Spring about an hour away from here, and their 'old town' is officially opened and dressed up beginning today for Christmas. I've never been there, so it will be fun to see it at its prettiest the first time. I'm always up for finding fun odds and ends for those little 'extras' at Christmas or even for birthday treats. Hubby has decided to join the church, so tomorrow is the big day. He's been waiting until all our friends could be in attendance to join, and it's taken 2 months to reach this day. He's already immersed in several volunteer things around there, so this is almost just a formality. I'm glad he came to this decision on his own without any pressure from me, too. Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!