HI ALL, Paula, I got your package, thank you, it was a five minute task! Treasea, I opened your package and all of your seeds are in there loose with no names so I'll treat them as extras and toss one into each envy until they are gone. I wish photobucket wasn't having issues, I'd love to post a pic of the extras that have been sent in. I'm waiting to get all the envies in before I begin the drop one in each until all the extras are gone. Lisa

Hi Everyone, Enjoyed a lovely dinner last night and cards with our dear friends. I ate Shepherd's pie (crustless type), biscuits and ice cream. Yes I went over my daily limit but I am not worried. I do the WW program and actually just used up my weekly freebie points or calories. Today and tomorrow I am in recovery mode to compensate. So what does my day look like? Cottage cheese 1%, home made barley soup loaded with veggies for lunch, apple for snack and dinner will be a full plate of steamed zucchini, squash, onion and a cooked egg. I will literally load that plate and put a spoon of margarine, salt & pepper. Of course water, water, water today. Why am I telling you this? Because you can deal with a meal event. I faithfully logged how much I had last night and noted the points/calorie values. I know where I stand. I am not deterred at all. I continue. Did I have a large serving? Yes, honestly and honestly two biscuits. Today I am quite happily puttering away at little jobs around the house and enjoying my healthy food choices. So don't despair when you have these moments. You dust yourself off and carry on. If you know a meal event is coming - plan a head. Reduce your calories a day or two ahead and then a day or two afterwards. Don't beat yourself up. Don't regret, feel bad - just do your best and keeping putting one foot in front of the other. You can do this. You can persevere through these moments in life. That is part of living a healthy lifestyle. Just be honest with yourself. Over the coming weeks I want to talk about planning ahead and then staying the course. There is a major meal event/weekend coming up in November for those of you in the US and I'd like to open the communication lines on how to deal successfully with it so you can enjoy your friends and family. Focus on the joy of the fall season. We'll get through that time together I promise and you will continue with your goals. That's what I wanted to say today to everyone, even those silent friends we have out there reading but not posting. I'm reaching out to invite you to come back and read our posts, share our journey. You don't have to share on here to be a part of our journey together. Just come back. If we can help you stay true to your dream then that is all I'm trying to achieve. Lets have a wonderful day today and tomorrow. Cheers, Peggy

When I take those personality tests, I come down right in the middle of extrovert/introvert, which I think is appropriate. I love time with friends, and I am often the organizer of social outings. But I also love being alone. As an only child, I was home alone often when my parents were at work, so maybe it's just that I got used to it. DH grew up in a big family and he doesn't particularly like being alone (as in being home alone for a weekend, or going to our beach house alone -- which I LOVE). But he is very introverted and getting more so as he ages. Friends who know him well can laugh about the fact that if one of them happens to stop by unannounced, he might barely say hello. But if he knows someone is coming, or we're going out somewhere, he is prepared and will be friendly and is often (esp. after a couple of beers) the life of the party because he is incredibly funny. It makes me crazy at times because he can be very self-absorbed and gets involved in solitary activities that can exclude me and the rest of the family. Fortunately when the kids were little he was more engaged and hands-on so it bothers me less now that the kids are more independent. Our kids are: one nerdy extrovert, one slightly nerdy introvert, and one non-nerdy introvert!

oldrusty here...I'm clutching my heart with one hand.. to thank God once again for a healthy family and extending the other with love and compassion for those suffering emotionally and physically near and far .... to