Monday Roll Call

Morning/day everyone. Drive carefully later as more snow is supposed to start soon.

I was not as productive as I wanted in the cleaning dept. yesterday but I got a lot of things done - it just does not look like it in some areas of my house. Made 2 batches of the choc. covered popcorn, Target shopping, present wrapping and a little laundry.

Need to get rolling here at work

Good Morning.

A 3 day workweek this week, then a 4 day weekend. I think i can survive this.

We had a great time yesterday with our daughter Annette. We went to eat at Blackstones in Yorkville. I had 2 apetizers and a real drink, mini size. They offer 1 ounce mini drinks on some of thier special drinks.

Hope everyone gets home tonight before the weather hits. Drive safe and stay safe.

Huggers,
Lisa

Hello everyone

Oh my what a lazy day I had yesterday.  I love those days. 

Even though I thought I had all my Christmas shopping done I have something to do now.  A present I bought for my daughter's cousin, I just found out she has already.  So now I have to unwrap it and bring it back to Target and exchange it for something else...ughhh.  What a a pain in the butt.  I also decided I wouldn't make cookies and treats till Thursday and Friday.  It's better that way, then all those yummy cookies aren't sitting around my house calling my name.  Amanda will be home for Christmas...I can't wait to see her.

I made a comment on Facebook about how boring December can be if you have all your Christmas stuff done early.  I am just twiddling my thumbs.  But I wouldn't do it any other way.  I find the stores way too crowded and the lines way too long.  That is why I do my shopping early.  I feel some people are so busy and stressed that they don't enjoy themselves.  I enjoy myself!!!

My friend Jodi lost her job last week.  I find employers that get rid of people right before the holidays are just evil!!!  She has 4 kids.  The good thing is she is the one that won money in the lottery so she won't be hurting for the holidays.  Right now she said she is enjoying her time off with her family. 

Yes the snow almost every day this week.  Have a nice day and drive safe.

Good Morning.

Vacation this week!  So looking forward to it.  Wednesday I have no plans or appointments scheduled.  That is the day I am doing nothing but sitting around and maybe giving myself a manicure.

Grocery shopping, dishes, bank and a meeting/Christmas Party is on the agenda for today.

Have a wonderful and safe day.

Good morning Chris and the rest of Illinois!

I am working through Thursday, then a 3 day weekend for me.

I have decided to try the popcorn that you keep taking about.  It sounds like something my family will like and it will be a nice treat to have on hand for neighbors.  The Captain Crunch stuff looks way to sweet for me but the kids would probably like it.

I have been working on a few liquors for gifts.  We made Limoncello, Creamy Limoncello, Pomagranate Liquor and for one very special nighbor guy, Bacon Vodka.  We are also going to make some home made lemonade syrup for those with kids.  So far, the liquors have been a hit.  The Limoncello is supposed to be stored in the freezer.  It takes LOTS of sugar to make liquors, so I made a small batch of the Creamy Limoncello with Splenda instead.  That is the ONLY thing I changed in the recipe, but when stored in the freezer, it froze SOLID!!!!!  I am very surious about the chemical reaction that allowed that to happen.  The "regular" recipe does not freeze at all, not even to slush.  I will be researching in my spare time.

Olivia and I attended Todd's family Christmas on Saturday without the boys.  Liv has a bad cold, so we were home by 8:30.  That is better as his family usually drives me nuts.

That's about it for me today!  Everyone have a splended day!

 Dawn

That is really strange.  It is usually the alcohol that prevents the freezing not the sugar.  I am racking my brain from my foods courses to try to figure out why you got that reaction.  The only thing I can think of is that splenda is a form of a sugar alcohol and maybe when you mixed it with regular alcohol it changed the characteristics of the properties of alcohol.  Is the liquor still sweet or did the splenda break down when mixed with the alcohol and lose its sweetness?  You have some sort of chemical reaction going on there.  

Yeah....I can't figure it out either.  It tastes the same as the full-sugar version, just froze solid.  STRANGE.......

Good morning all,
Not much going on here.  I am home and my co-workers are at it till Wednesday.  I am missing all the fun my school has during the holidays however, I am doing something for me right now. 
This time of year is hard for my hubby and I.  We do not have family in Illinois so all holidays and birthdays are quiet.  His parents and mine are in Tucson, Az.  We try to go there about every other yr for the holidays, however, the stress of "we need you at my house at such and such time" OR my favorite, "i will be ok, do not worry about visiting me as his parents are more important" make visiting there not so much fun.  I will be taking my daughter to Az this summer and she and I will stay there for most of June.  My poor mom has Macular Degeneration, and I really want to spend some quality time with her.  My hubby's family already know I am will be with her majority of the time and that I will not be breaking my time equally.  Of course, my daughter will spend time with both sides. 
So tomorrow, my hubby is having shoulder surgery.  I need to have him at Evanston Hospital at 6am for check in.  The total time there should be about 6hrs we are told.  Then on Wednesday I have my first post op apt with my Dr.  I am hoping all is well.  I feel ok, just still struggling with finding a protein i can drink.  Right now, everything tastes so sweet it is making me sick.  Who would have thought!!!
Well, I am off to Walmart and then mail some last minute cards.
Take care
Debbie

Hi Chris and Illinois!
I am working today, then off the rest of the week! YEAH. Chloe is coming up Tues or Wed and we'll make sugar cut out cookies and take them to some people. I need to wrap while I'm off. Got my Christmas cards out, just today! Worked on them last night while I watched the Survivor Finale.

I'm ready to be off for a little vaca time, so can't wait until it's 4 pm to leave!

Everyone have a super day.

georgie

 Good Evening Everyone!  

Well, I think I weather forecaster cannot forecast weather.  The 1 inch of snow was about 2-3 inches at 3 pm today and it has continued to come down hard since then.  I think we have a good 5 inches out there!  

I got off work early today and sure was glad that I did.  I stayed up until 1am last night wrapping presents and took them to Fed EX to ship.  I found out that the only way they would guarantee them for Christmas was to send them air which cost me a little over $100.00  That will teach me to procrastinate.  Otherwise they said they would not get there before Christmas and with little ones .... I just couldn't be that mean.  At least I can breathe easier now.  

I stopped at Menards to get some pet friendly sidewalk salt tonight and found out that all their Christmas stuff was 46% off!  What a deal!  So I added to my Christmas collection, bought cards and paper to use for newsletters, gift bags etc.  

We are supposed to get ice tonight.  Who knows what we will wake up to tomorrow.  

Tonight I am going to finish wrapping presents and make a wreath from the supplies I bought at Menards.  I am getting in the Christmas spirit a tad late but better late than never! 

Have a good evening!