Happy Friday everyone! Thank you for your words of encouragement. I have lots of support and a friend who wants to join me at the AA meeting. I am looking forward to going and hope with all my heart I will take this seriously and not just go through the motions. Part of me thinks I can handle a beer but a larger part knows it is not in my best interest. It sure as heck can't hurt to attend. Especially now that I am working on a spiritual journey which fits right in. Jan don't worry about the cat. Just do the best you can. If you sit with the cat each visit for a few minutes the cat will get used to you. Each cat has it's own personality. If the cat seems distressed in any way don't be shy to call your neighbours or the vet. They sleep alot normally. Donna, I feel for you knowing how hard it must be. My dad was a binge drinker. It was hell on us when those episodes hit. I agree it's one day at a time. I am responsible for myself, no one else is. The same goes for anyone with an addiction or abuse problem. It does help knowing people care. I am okay right now - probably more now than I have been in years. Raeanne, it's not the gift that counts - it's the way it is accepted. Given the economy right now may I suggest you could ask these folk to make a donation to support a local food shelter, charity basket in your name? Let them know you appreciated the gifts of the past year but this year you would like to start something new given how hard times are affecting many people. If you do get some baskets anyway and don't want them - take them to a shelter, seniors home. They won't go to waste. I dunno, just a suggestion. My MIL asked what I wanted this year - I know she won't accept 'just a place at the dinner table and family'...I suggested a gift card to a home centre so I could spend it in the spring on my garden. She liked that idea. I won't waste it. Better than pj's that don't fit or one too many potholder/dishtowel sets. Happy Saturday! (I started this last night....) It's raining this weekend. Luckily I got my yard work done, minor things left now before the snow flies. Today I am going to take stuff to my charity shop, do a little retail therapy there and when I come home - who knows. I'll see what mischief awaits. DH is putting new trim around our livingroom window and sanding a couple of spots we touched up on the walls to prepare for painting. I'm sending all of my pals Happy Happy Thoughts today! LOL Will check in again later. Cheers, Peggy

Hubby is playing tonite at the bar, and he likes to eat light on nights he plays. I made grilled chicken fajitas with lots of fried onions and peppers and usual toppings. With a squeeze of fresh Lime Juice! Delicious!!

Nita, you deserve a break from cooking after cooking for company. Glad your foot is getting better and I know you're anxious to get out and moving more. Marilyn, you really scored on those plants. Makes me want to run to Lowe's but I am a notorious plant killer except for succulents. LOL! I only have one jade plant and that's because I know I can't possibly kill that!! Everybody's dinner sounds good--ours was a big fat zero on a scale of 1 to 5. Made a honey mustard sauce for the pork chop and it was nasty tasting and the pork chops were like shoe leather--and I only baked them 35 minutes. They were about 3/4" thick so I didn't think that would be too long. Enjoy what's left of the evening, everybody!

even thou i was vegetarian all thru my 20's i had never had an artichoke! i first had one (steamed w/ drawn butter dip) about 10 yrs ago in an italian restaurant and i loved it. i get into these stages where i eat one thing alot then get tired of it. so far this one's going on 6 months LOL but it is very healthy 60 cal. 6g fiber and i eat it w/o dipping, just plain. it's also something easy i can make, i fill a small pan w/ about 1-1.5c water and a slice of fresh lemon, bring to a boil then steam for about 45-60 min. not exact, usually when i remember it LOL. luckily we have a produce market 2 mi away and he sells nice sized artichokes for $0.69-$1.25 ea v/s publix for $3.99 often which when i can't get at the market i will get just 1 in a wk. i always eat that first and it fills me up nicely then i eat the rest of my meal. it also FORCES me to slow down, a problem i have while eating :-/ and eat each leaf then clean up the heart. i am trying trying trying to eat mostly veggies, chosing high protein healthy foods to lose weight :-) ~ liz