JINGLE BELLS!!!! OMG!!!! IT'S ONLY..................
3 MONTHS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!!!! AAACCCCKKKK!!!
Yeah, I know, kill me now!!!
Actually, I get so excited for the holidays - ALL of them!!! KB and I are already discussing what types of cookies to make. Yes, new post-ops, there is a Santa!!!! You can still make cookies for your family and depending upon how far out you are, you can even have some. Just don't overdo it!! In the past, a snack of cookies might be a whole dozen, now, I'm happy with one. I still love raw chocolate chip cookie dough, but it tastes gross when you have gum in your mouth, so I make sure I chew gum so I'm not tempted to lick!!!
I've streamlined my gift-giving, too. Given the economic situation, it just makes sense. It doesn't mean that I love my friends any less, it just means that we realize we have other commitments needing our financial attention. Actually, what my various friends and I have decided is that rather than give gifts, we'd get together for a Christmas lunch, dinner, tea or coffee - sans kids!! It gives us a break and takes some of the stress off!! As far as work, well, they're not the types of people to exchange presents anyway, and I'd rather they tell me I could leave at 12 on a Friday to get some shopping done!! That would just mean so much more than them having their wives buy me some heinously scented bath products!!!
So, tell me about your holiday traditions!!! Like I said, KB and I are so excited to begin making cookies - B is my official "taster," K is the "scooper," and Happy is the official "underfooter!!!" We give LOTS away - to friends, neighbors, the local pd and firemen and the senior center. It's fun and teaches KB about the joy of giving.
New post-ops, don't worry - I PROMISE you'll be able to eat. You won't be able to or have the desire to stuff yourself as in years past, but trust me, you'll enjoy it more. Take my word for it when I tell you that a spoonful of that homemade stuffing will taste just as good but feel better than carb loading.
So don't stress, and by all means, enjoy the wonderful new gift you've given yourself!!! The holidays are meant to be about the people you love (and periodically want to choke), NOT the food!!!
Looking forward to getting together for an OH holiday gathering!!!
Tia
Yeah, I know, kill me now!!!
Actually, I get so excited for the holidays - ALL of them!!! KB and I are already discussing what types of cookies to make. Yes, new post-ops, there is a Santa!!!! You can still make cookies for your family and depending upon how far out you are, you can even have some. Just don't overdo it!! In the past, a snack of cookies might be a whole dozen, now, I'm happy with one. I still love raw chocolate chip cookie dough, but it tastes gross when you have gum in your mouth, so I make sure I chew gum so I'm not tempted to lick!!!
I've streamlined my gift-giving, too. Given the economic situation, it just makes sense. It doesn't mean that I love my friends any less, it just means that we realize we have other commitments needing our financial attention. Actually, what my various friends and I have decided is that rather than give gifts, we'd get together for a Christmas lunch, dinner, tea or coffee - sans kids!! It gives us a break and takes some of the stress off!! As far as work, well, they're not the types of people to exchange presents anyway, and I'd rather they tell me I could leave at 12 on a Friday to get some shopping done!! That would just mean so much more than them having their wives buy me some heinously scented bath products!!!
So, tell me about your holiday traditions!!! Like I said, KB and I are so excited to begin making cookies - B is my official "taster," K is the "scooper," and Happy is the official "underfooter!!!" We give LOTS away - to friends, neighbors, the local pd and firemen and the senior center. It's fun and teaches KB about the joy of giving.
New post-ops, don't worry - I PROMISE you'll be able to eat. You won't be able to or have the desire to stuff yourself as in years past, but trust me, you'll enjoy it more. Take my word for it when I tell you that a spoonful of that homemade stuffing will taste just as good but feel better than carb loading.
So don't stress, and by all means, enjoy the wonderful new gift you've given yourself!!! The holidays are meant to be about the people you love (and periodically want to choke), NOT the food!!!
Looking forward to getting together for an OH holiday gathering!!!
Tia
I too have started thinking about the holidays and what I need to do to get prepared. Each year I say I am going to start early so that I can enjoy the whole experience. While I get my enjoyment, I am not as successful in reducing the stress I create for myself. I too have a tradiiton of baking cookies. I make about 8 different kinds and these are the centerpieces of many get togethers as well as gifts. I am also famous for making fudge. I managed to do all of this last year when I was just 6 weeks to 2 months post-op. It will be tougher this year, but won't feel like the holidays unless I do it.
Christmas Eve is usually spent with the cousins. For the last 2 years this gathering has been held at my place. (about 25 people) I like the convenience of not having to go out, but there is a lot of work that goes into pulling it off. Christmas Day I will probably be with my oldest nephew and his girlfriend at her family's gathering. My immediate family will get together some time between Christmas and New Year's, most likely at my place. I try very hard over the holidays to schedule get-togethers with each group of friends. New Year's Eve is usually spent at the Annual Party held by one of my closest friends.
My mailbox already runneth over with catalogs. Even if I do not buy from many of them, I use them for inspiration. Several of my immediate family members are difficult to shop for. I am already developing some ideas to try and get started.
One of my famorite things to do, is enjoy a moment of pure quiet by myself, when the house is all decorated. I will sit with just the Christmas lights and candles on with Christmas music playing. I reflect on a lot of warm memories and simply absorb the wonderful feeling of the Holidays.
Christmas Eve is usually spent with the cousins. For the last 2 years this gathering has been held at my place. (about 25 people) I like the convenience of not having to go out, but there is a lot of work that goes into pulling it off. Christmas Day I will probably be with my oldest nephew and his girlfriend at her family's gathering. My immediate family will get together some time between Christmas and New Year's, most likely at my place. I try very hard over the holidays to schedule get-togethers with each group of friends. New Year's Eve is usually spent at the Annual Party held by one of my closest friends.
My mailbox already runneth over with catalogs. Even if I do not buy from many of them, I use them for inspiration. Several of my immediate family members are difficult to shop for. I am already developing some ideas to try and get started.
One of my famorite things to do, is enjoy a moment of pure quiet by myself, when the house is all decorated. I will sit with just the Christmas lights and candles on with Christmas music playing. I reflect on a lot of warm memories and simply absorb the wonderful feeling of the Holidays.
Deb -
You are a girl after my own heart!!!!!
I make fudge, too, and I know Moie makes and gives TONS of fudge. Last year's venture was fudge made with Velveeta!!! I kid you not!!! You could NOT tell!!!
I would LOVE to do an OH cookie exchange, but I already do one with my family and I'm not sure I need the added calories OR stress!!!
Tia
You are a girl after my own heart!!!!!
I make fudge, too, and I know Moie makes and gives TONS of fudge. Last year's venture was fudge made with Velveeta!!! I kid you not!!! You could NOT tell!!!
I would LOVE to do an OH cookie exchange, but I already do one with my family and I'm not sure I need the added calories OR stress!!!
Tia
I can see it coming. In the position that I am in at work we get a lot of food presents at holiday time. They sit on a table outside of my office door. This week, there have been brownies and cookies and danish and muffins sitting there. I have not touched one yet. My scale is not moving, but I am in a size 18 pant this morning. Bought them at Walmart yesterday. They are a little snug, but I thought I would remind myself that I don't need to eat and want to fit into the pants.
I love the holiday season!!! Can't wait for this year. My gifts are also going to be trimmed down. I've already been looking for black friday ads.
I love the holiday season!!! Can't wait for this year. My gifts are also going to be trimmed down. I've already been looking for black friday ads.
Lisa Z.
When we believe, all things are possible!
Lisa -
WOO-HOO!!!! SIZE 18!!! You rock!!!!
Can you move that table? And tell yourself, especially if it's storebought, that it can't possibly taste good!!! Sometimes, you have to play mind games with yourself!!!
Darla suggested to me that we do an OH gathering/shopping trip - maybe to DE, since it's tax free!! I'll talk to her and let you know!!
Tia
WOO-HOO!!!! SIZE 18!!! You rock!!!!
Can you move that table? And tell yourself, especially if it's storebought, that it can't possibly taste good!!! Sometimes, you have to play mind games with yourself!!!
Darla suggested to me that we do an OH gathering/shopping trip - maybe to DE, since it's tax free!! I'll talk to her and let you know!!
Tia
Size 18 from a 28. I can't really see the change, but the other day I got about 5 compliments from people here at work. It's really nice to get those, but I have such a long way to go. I think at the beginning of this journey I would have been happy with 75 lbs gone, but my expectations have changed and I can't let it stop now.
Shopping sounds good to me. My Christmas club is coming the 2nd week of October, so I need to hold onto it until the sales really start. I thought we had a day in Hagerstown at the outlets and then dancing with Aaron planned? Maybe he's gotten too busy for us, with all his new dates (LOL).
Some of the treats were made by the Caterer that we use and I know he does a wonderful job. I keep telling everyone else to have one for me and then to tell me it really doesn't taste that good. So far that's worked. I did pull off a peanut butter and jelly thumbprint cookie recipie from the Splenda site this week and as soon as we move, I'm going to make them.
Shopping sounds good to me. My Christmas club is coming the 2nd week of October, so I need to hold onto it until the sales really start. I thought we had a day in Hagerstown at the outlets and then dancing with Aaron planned? Maybe he's gotten too busy for us, with all his new dates (LOL).
Some of the treats were made by the Caterer that we use and I know he does a wonderful job. I keep telling everyone else to have one for me and then to tell me it really doesn't taste that good. So far that's worked. I did pull off a peanut butter and jelly thumbprint cookie recipie from the Splenda site this week and as soon as we move, I'm going to make them.
Lisa Z.
When we believe, all things are possible!
I understand how you don't see the difference - I wish I could've paid DVR extra to operate on my brain, too!!!
But numbers and the fit of clothing don't lie, honey!!!!
Yeah, I need to talk to Aaron about that - we were originally going to do that on November 15, but something's come up and I need to change that.
I'll get back to you.
Tia
But numbers and the fit of clothing don't lie, honey!!!!
Yeah, I need to talk to Aaron about that - we were originally going to do that on November 15, but something's come up and I need to change that.
I'll get back to you.
Tia
It seems that it's always a tradition of mine since I don't have much money taht I go home to mom and dad and bake and bake and bake and fill decorated buckets with cookies and candy that I make and give them as gifts. Mom always buys my ingredients for me and I'm up till the wee hours of the morning baking my butt off. However this year with Christmas being on a Thursday, it's going to be hard to do because our family tradition is always opening presents on Christmas eve but I don't have that day off. I have that friday off so I don't know what I'm going to do.
I DO plan on wearing my size 8X winter coat to visit and showing everyone how I look when I take it off LOL
I DO plan on wearing my size 8X winter coat to visit and showing everyone how I look when I take it off LOL
Ummm.......honey? You don't HAVE a butt anymore to bake off!!! LOL!!!
Would they consider waiting until Christmas this year to open presents? I think you should go have a professional pic done and give it to your parents and whomever else you're close to!!!
ME!!! ME!!!! ME!!!!!
This is STILL my reaction when I think that you actually wore a size 8X......*THUD*!!!!!
Love you!!
Would they consider waiting until Christmas this year to open presents? I think you should go have a professional pic done and give it to your parents and whomever else you're close to!!!
ME!!! ME!!!! ME!!!!!
This is STILL my reaction when I think that you actually wore a size 8X......*THUD*!!!!!
Love you!!
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