Elissa, You are so welcome !  I have always looked up to you  ! The star came to me when I needed it the most. I hope it helps you as much this month as it did me last month. When I look back at my journey , you have a special chapter. You always made me feel welcome from the start. I have learned so much from you and everyone else and I am so proud to call all my friends and WLS Buddies.  5 years ? How time flies. I hope you have a special Birthday and do something nice for yourself. See you lighter. Joanne

It really is worth the trip to Milton for the canned and dry goods.  We only have to go once a year or so.  They do sell brand items for a little cheaper too, but if I can get a case (12 cans) of each kind of veggies or fruits for like, 39 cents a can?  Geez....I've never had a poor quality product from Sav-a-Lot.  You might find a stem or two in the green beans, or the peas might not all be the same size but who cares?  Paper goods like TP, tissues, paper towels, are all alot cheaper.  Cheese hot dogs for $1.69 a pound and they are good too...I'm there, man. I bought 12 pkgs this time...LOLOL.

This weekend is probably the last one I will have with the grandbabies.  Sarah and Jason are taking them to his Gramma's in Michigan for awhile.  She has plenty of space and lots of family to help.  Karissa will stay here with us so she can stay in school, and while the babies are away, mom and dad can work, work, work....get themselves back together.  I decided NOT to go through with the legal guardianship due to some real hatefulness on Ed's part about having to sacrifice....very selfish.  He will ultimately have to answer for his hatred and bitterness, not me.

I'm going to be having some carotid artery studies done, and an echocardiogram but not until February.  Will update when I know the results.  I hope everyone has a fine weekend!

hi jo yep its me im doing ok. glad to see you and debbie are doing good.  still home schooling david its going good to. didnt know you were bk to work.   tc see ya lighter belinda

What are you folks up to this weekend? I have a busy one planned -- going to finish unpacking and organizing this new house if it kills me.

I had the day off today and needed to grocery shop -- SuperFresh has a huge meat sale going on starting today -- $1.68 a pound for boneless chicken breast, bottom round roast, and ground beef. So I was there first thing this morning, getting two family-sized packages of everything. Then I followed Kathy's suggestion (thanks, Kathy!)  and drove up to the Save-A-Lot in Milton. They really do have a lot of off-brand items to cut food costs. My cart was loaded to the gills but I have enough food to take us through several weeks, I'm hoping.

I promised myself to get back on track starting today . . . trying to get more protein in and leave the carbs behind. I started getting slack during the holidays and I am paying the price now.

So far today I've been good -- had egg/cheese omelette for breakfast and a banana for snack. I will have some beef jerky when the kids get home from school and that should tide me over for dinner. Going to make something with the chicken I just bought . . .

From where I'm sitting and typing, I can see my treadmill looking very lonely in the corner of the family room. Sigh. Guess I'll go plug it in and see what I can accomplish in the 15 minutes I have left before the school bus arrives, LOL.

-BJ

HI EVERYONE! I DECIDED NOT TO "LURK" AND MAKE MYSELF KNOWN:) HOPE EVERYONE IS WELL AND IT WAS NICE MEETING A COUPLE OF YOU ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT! HAVE A GREAT NIGHT!