What a quaint little town. I think I like it. We are almost to Utah. That's a small state isn't it. We are going to make it. I just now it. I don't know about walking back to New York. As my kids would say "don't count your chickens with a hatchet". Let's get to California before we plan our next trip. What do you think about Costa Rica? It has to be warmer then New York? Have a great weekend, Rick

Barbara, I think you may be feeling the same way I do "is there anyone out there?" As to your survey, 1. Where are you going/staying for the holidays? We traveled for Thanksgiving, so we are staying home for Christmas. My grandson's birthday is Christmas Eve day so we always try to make that a special day for him. We have a large white elephant Christmas gathering at our house every year. It was last weekend and we had 35 family and friends at the house. It is very relaxed and low key. We play cards and have a lot of fun. 2. What special person will you see during the holidays? No one extra special, just all of the regular "special" people in my life. 3. What special gift will you be giving during the holidays? I try to give of my time. I want my family to know that I am there for them and with them. My grandson is also getting a new video game system. He will be very excited. His dad is going to be here before Christmas and he will be thrilled with that as well. I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday season. Life is great, Rick

Jannine - what is your recipe for the cocoa and pretzles??? Both sound like nice gifts especially for people at work! Barb

SURVEY TIME..... 1. Where are you going/staying for the holidays? 2. What special person will you see during the holidays? 3. What special gift will you be giving during the holidays? As for me: 1. Where are you going/staying for the holidays? - We are in NH for the holidays. We usually leave the day after Christmas to go to TN, but since I just started a new job, I don't have any vacation time built up so we will be staying here and not traveling to TN until February. My wonderful hubby works for the Post Office in a processing plant (he is an electrical technician) so the post office doesn't allow time off during December, so we are always home for Christmas but usually leave the day after Christmas. I will miss seeing my TN grandkids right after Christmas, but will get to spend Christmas with my NH grandson...and will see the TN kiddos in February. 2. What special person will you see during the holidays? Well, I have probably taken leave of my senses, but I am trying to make arrangements to bring my sister up here for Christmas. She is mentally retarded, very diabetic, many health problems, extremely overweight, has sleep apnea and lives in a wonderful nursing home in TN. She is 15 months younger than me - is 5'4" tall and weighs about 375 pounds...bless her heart - she is as wide as she is tall. She can walk with a walker, but usually relies on her wheel chair. To fly her up here will require my son getting her to the airport, probably purchasing 2 seats for her and praying the plane comes non-stop with no delays. Her only wish for Christmas is to come to my house and I am going to try and make it possible for her. Stay tuned!!! 3. What special gift will you be giving during the holidays? I can't beat the beautiful gift my hubby gave me last weekend. It was our 7th anniversary and bless his heart -he gave me one of those ever-so-popular diamond "journey necklaces"...the one with 7 diamonds and the diamonds increase in size meaning your love has grown through the years. It was such a wonderful surprise for me that I can't imagine finding a more meaningful thoughtful gift than his to me. I guess my special gift will be getting my sister up here and trying to make her Christmas special. My sweet daughter will also be coming, but she got her high heel caught in the sidewalk walking home from work in DC and fell and broke her leg. Thank goodness it isn't a bad break, but she is on crutches for 6 weeks. I can't wait till bath time...trying to get my poor sister in the shower with all her physical disabilities and helping my daughter get her leg all wrapped up in plastic wrap...she is in a cast from her toes to under her knee. My special gift may be a long rest after the holidays! However, we just got word from the President that federal offices will be closed on the 24th and 25th - so that is a great present for me!!!! Wow - was this wordy...got started and couldn't stop! Can't wait to hear from our MARCHers about your holiday plans! Barbara

People have a way of becoming what you encourage to them to be -- not what you nag them to be.....Scudder N. Parker I want to encourage today - not nag - to make you MARCHers become what we want to be! I think we all do better getting and giving encouragement rather than getting and giving nagging criticism - in every aspect of life. With your children, your grandchildren, your spouses, your partners, your friends, whose ever path your life crosses - they/we all will do better with encouragement. Don't you feel better when someone encourages you to do your best rather than bust you for not doing what they expect???? Well MARCHers - today I encourage each of you to continue on your path towards good health, smaller bodies, and happier individuals. I know each and every one of us can be and will be successful. Yeah...we have bumps along the way...(so what if our wonderful encouraging Stephanie Smiles had a little pizza the other night...cheese and pepporoni are protein right?), we have beat some incredible odds so far...and by golly....we are going to continue on our journey. I ENCOURAGE you to take all your life saving vitamins today, I ENCOURAGE you to drink lots of body enriching water today, I ENCOURAGE you to do some heart pumping, body healing exercise today and lastly but not least...I ENCOURAGE you to make good food choices today...make that body strong with good solid protein!!!! Don't make me have to NAG you next week for not following the rules...especially since I offer you the flag of encouragement today! Have a wonderful weekend everyone...I encourage you to enjoy every minute of it. Make good choices MARCHers....hugs to all...Barbara