Good Friday Before Christmas Maryland!

How is Everyone holding up? Got all that shopping done? Presents wrapped? Food bought to make scrumptious dishes? I've got it all except I need to wrap a few more presents. Tia, I'm having trouble figuring out where to put the bow on that man I got you....HAHA. Ok, seriously...how goes the eating, fluids, supplements, protein and exercise? I'm doing A-OK on everything except I haven't been to the gym or worked out on the elliptical trainer that I have at home. I don't feel too guilty as it's been non-stop and it's not like I've been a couch potato. I'm getting back to the gym next week if it kills me! I'm working today until around 10:30 and then I'm leaving to go home to wait for the stove repairman. I'm actually taking work home to finish out my day there. Tonight, if it's mission accomplished with the stove, I'll begin making stuff for Christmas. I'm making cowboy beans, cheesecake and a white chocolate raspberry cheesecake (hopefully like the one they have at Cheesecake Factory that my sister just loves). I won't need to make anything else for Christmas Dinner until Christmas Day. I like to get a jump on the baking and the beans just taste better a few days old. So what's up in your world? If I don't get to post between now and Christmas, I'd like to say to each of you "Merry Christmas". I am so thankful to have your support and friendship and I hope your holiday is just wonderful and everything you hope it could be! Love, Terry

Good morning Terry Busy Busy day today. 2 more gifts to get today and I need to buy myself some new clothes so I will be going to Fashion Bug. Yes I can finally fit into fashion bugs clothes. I am so excited no more ordering from lane bryant catalog or going to glen burnie to cathrines (wich really isnt all that fashionable for my age) So very excited about that. Hope you stove gets fixed. Couldnt imagine that being broke for christmas ( I make christmas dinner) We are having a family reunion on Christmas eve at my moms and havnt seen most of my uncles and there kids since my wedding so everyone is excited to see me and how far I have come with my weight loose. I am down 122 now which is to me unbelievable in almost 6 months. But I am not complaining. Well Hope you have a very merry christmas and everyone else too. Be safe for those of you traveling Christmas Hugs Kelly

Hey Kelly - Forgot to mention, LOVE the new pic!! Hopefully, after the first of the year, I'll get one up (with the help of my good friend, Terry!!!) Fashion Bug is my drug of choice, now, too. I used to also be limited to LB and Catherine's and it is SUCH a relief not to have to pay those prices!!! In fact, I don't think I've been in Catherine's since my surgery!!! I love Fashion's Bugs Priced Just Right line, they have some really nice shirts that have just a touch of spandex. Thank God for spandex and underwire!!!! Hope you have a wonderful time with your family and a safe and happy holiday! Love, Tia

Hi Tia Thanks for the picture comment. I love yours too. Home from a busy day shopping and traffic. Stores werent bad and I got up close parking so that was good but it was the roads that were terrible. I think the rain might have had a little help in that. I agree with you on Cahrines. Very expensve but I went to Fashion bug and got 3 new outfits and didnt spend that much. Well gotta go finish cleaning so have a safe and happy holiday Kelly

Good morning Terry There are so many people taking today off as well as next week, that I was SURE yesterday was Friday. It was a rude awakening to have to get up and come to work today!!!! The office has been overrun with food stuff and I have to admit to 'picking' at stuff. Certainly not the way I would have picked pre-WLS, but I'll be glad when the holidays are over and this gang stops bringing stuff into the office. (Of course, this is a very food oriented group, so there's almost ALWAYS food around). I bought a small ham and a sweet potato casserole that we will have for a meal most likely either Christmas eve or Christmas day .. or some combination of both. Mr Mo is the 'late' man tomorrow, so he won't be done until 8 or 9 p.m. (if he's lucky). Wendy and I made plans that I would just meet them for dinner as usual (minus Mr Mo) ... well .. apparently Jeff is scared to be out with Wendy and me on his own, so he and Mr Mo made plans that J & W will pick me up and we will all go downtown and meet Mr Mo at Sabatino's for dinner when he gets off work. That is going to be one LATE dinner on Saturday night. I am wondering if Wendy knows about this yet, because she's starving waiting for us to meet at 6 p.m. 8 or 9 is going to really be a struggle. She and I might need to meet for lunch at 4 so we can make it to dinner Enjoy your Christmas. Have a wonderful holiday. Hugs, Mo

Hey Moie - HATE having to be here on a Friday, much less this Friday!!! You seriously need to have a talk with Mr. Mo - somehow, MOTY is NOT working on Christmas!!! So that means at some point, I'm gonna have to deal with her. She's upset B a lot this week, because she keeps telling him that she's going to take all his presents back if he doesn't behave. My God, you'd think my poor little guy was an ax murderer!!! This was AFTER she bought all of their presents in their presence because, "Mommy's so busy, and doesn't know what you want!!!" UGH!!! How'd Mr. Mo get to be so lucky as to have to work late? I thought seniority had SOME privileges. Sabatino's, huh? If you're not stuck on that, and if they're really busy, go right across the street to Germano's Trattoria - that's my Little Italy fave. Then scoot around the corner to Vaccaro's!!!!!! Whatever you do, have a wonderful dinner and be safe down there!! I always wanted to live in Little Italy, but I think that's because deep down, I want to be Carmela Soprano - she's got all that bling!!!!! Hugs to you and Mr. Mo, and kitty slurps to Lefty, Beagle sniffs from Molly!!!! MEOWY CHRISTMAS!!!!!! Love, Tia

Hey Tia Mr Mo gets to be 'scan man' about once a quarter. And unfortunately his number came up for this weekend. Other than messing up our plans with Jeff & Wendy it's really not a big issue usually when he has to work late. I can't believe that MOTY isn't the PTF having to work Christmas Day. Mr Mo got nailed doing that more often than not when he was a PTF, especially when he ended up back a PTF when we moved to MD. He actually ended up having to check on things in the office on Christmas day even as a supervisor. One year, when he was in Annapolis it was icy and one of his carriers slipped and knocked her head on the pavement. He was gone almost all day with going to the hospital with her, etc. I think I've 'picked' at something that didn't like me this a.m. and now my tummy is upset. I might need to go home ... AS IF that would happen. Hugs, Mo

Hey girl - Wow! I thought this day would never come!!! Although poor B is convinced Christmas isn't going to come fast enough, either! He keeps counting down the days, he's SO excited!!!! Listen, girlie, if you can't figure out where to put that bow on him, you need to exchange him for a larger size!!!! One size does NOT fit all!!!! Hope they get that stove fixed for you!!! I got a burst of energy last night and made two almond hot milk cakes and two batches of butter cookie dough. I'm making an effort to use up our humongous supply of sprinkles, sugars, etc., so I sprinkled the tops of the cakes with red and green sugar crystals. WELL, when they were done, all of the sugars had congregated in the middle of the cake and the cakes looked MOLDY!! It was actually pretty funny, and Mom said if I hadn't told her about it, she'd think they were bad!! Nice gifts, huh? I'm hoping someone springs me early today - no way do I want to be on the top side of the Beltway at 5 p.m.!!! Plus, I have some last minute things to do. Tomorrow, Mom, KB & I are going to see Charlotte's Web early, then lots of things to do afterward. I've still got some wrapping to do, too, and I need to have everything finished by 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve so I can devote myself to the 24 hour A Christmas Story marathon!!! I LOVE IT!! YOU'LL SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT, KID!!!!! So, that's it for me. Thanks to dial-up (did I ever mention how much I hate dial up?), I probably won't be on much in the next week, so I need to echo what you said. Merry Christmas and thanks for being a wonderful friend!!!!! I could not be on this journey without you to help me over the potholes!!! LOVE U LOTS, Tia

Good morning Terry, I love the new pic! You are so beautiful! Well, it's VERY quiet in my world today. Both of my guys are vacationing, although I know that Jay will be emailing me about twice a day anyway. He just can't not work. He's a good guy. I like both of the guys I work for. They have their moments and can really drive me crazy at times but I am so glad that they are who I work for. So in the office today I will try to do some work but I plan on finishing up my Christmas card writing. Yes, I am always late with my cards. This year, anyone that I have to mail a card to is going to be lucky to get one. LOL. I just haven't had the time to do cards. I really need to start this much earlier in the year, say August! I am just about done with my Christmas shopping. I am getting my husband gift today and getting Meghan's last gift. I am heading to the bank today to get the girls gift cards so they can so clothes shopping. They need new stuff and since they have to try on everything I figure this would be better. Besides, they love to shop. I really don't know where they get that from. Stephanie is planning a shopping trip next week to buy a New Year's outfit. She is going bowling with a "friend" and another couple. I say "friend" that way because she and this guy really, really like each other but they aren't going to begin a relationship because he is leaving for college on Jan. 6th. Still, I think it's cute and we just love him. They are on the phone ALL the time and when they aren't speaking on the phone, they are texting. They spend a lot of time together. They are going to watch Christmas movies tonight, go to lunch tomorrow, spend New Year's together and have dinner the day before he leaves. It's so much fun seeing my daughter "dating". I have loved every stage of their lives and I am still enjoying it. They are so much my life. I hope we are always close. Well, I am about to head out to CVS, the bank and Best Buy. I am taking an early lunch break so I can avoid crowds & hopefully rain! Have a fantastic day. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Hugs, Robin

Hey Terry hi, your new picture is fantastic!! Hope your stove gets fixed so you can start cooking. HAve a wonderful holiday season. pat