Happy Christmas Eve, y'all

Merry Christmas Eve everyone!

It's like my Christmas day, because I'm off. But I'll be busy packing ... and watching football. I stopped and bought some boxes ... I was having problems finding good boxes anywhere. If I got too many boxes, I can bring them back. Now I have to get them in from the car ... ugh.

Please keep my brother Gary in your thoughts. He's awfully depressed about his job situation. He thought he would hear about this job he had three interviews for ... and he's worried about his unemployment running out. I think they didn't call this week yet because of the holiday, but still ... he's down about it. He felt better when he heard unemployment was extended, but still ... he desperately needs a job.

In the meantime, I had to ask my mom to help me financially with the move; she was not happy and lectured me. She told me I should find some place and settle down ... well, I thought I had when I got to Grand Rapids; then I got laid off. That was not in the plans. I don't want to keep moving, but I do what I have to do to keep a job in this market. My friend Mary Kay says my mom's generation doesn't understand what those of us in this job market have to go through (even though  my mom grew up in the depression).

Anyway, mom is sending the money (so my brother told me) ... didn't want to ask her, but don't know how I'll pay the movers etc.

Work was steady but quiet tonight; today, I get to watch football and pack. I'm tired and glad I don't have to work today ... it's easy deadlines and it would be tough to go in early.

Well, have a good day.

Good mornin' ya'll.
Eilleen, I know it's not your choice to have to move! A generation ago, folks got a job and a house and knew they would have those 2 things for the rest of their lives. Unless they CHOSE to retire somewhere else. Those days are long gone. I will put Gary in my prayers. I hope it is just the holidays that is causing the delay!
Today, I will be making cheesecake and oreo cookie dessert. I'll make the gravy, peel my 10 pounds of taters and put them in water. Then a loaf of pumpkin bread with a maple glaze. I'll bake and puree the butternut squash, too.
The only thing I'll have to do tomorrow is make 2 apple pies, the creme puffs and the 2 appetizers. Our DIL is making and bringing the ham. I'll still do the vegies and crescents.
I hope everyone who is hosting Christmas dinner is prepared. Everyone who is going somewhere else for Christmas dinner, be appreciative. For those spending Christmas alone, I pray you are happy and enjoy yourselves!
My sleeve tweak seems to have worked. I am happy with it. I have discovered I can't do yakasoba noodles anymore (I couldn't with the band either). I can only eat half an english muffin (couldn't eat even that with the band). Basically about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of food fills me up and keeps me satisfied. But, just like the band, I can still nibble all day and still be OK. So I have to work on stopping that. Old habits are so easy to start back up, and so hard to get rid of again!
Everyone have a fantabulous day!!

Grammy,  I know exactly what you mean about the nibbling!  Grazing seems to have worked its way back into my life the last couple of weeks.  A bite of this, a bite of that.  Arrrggghh!  Old habits are very hard to break!

Vic

Glad your sleeve tweak is working for you, Caroline. Grazing and emotional eating is in my life big time, too, lately. Stress eating ha**** me in the face (or the mouth ... lol).

I have a pain in the center of my back, right side. Causing me all sorts of issues. But I'll do some packing today anyway. Got to get going on this.

Hope you have a great Christmas, Caroline. I'll never forgot your kindness.

Grammlew,

That is the thing about any of the wls, we can eat a little all day.  I keep a jar of peanut butter and some cleaned and ready to eat celery on hand.  If I need to munch, I can grab a celery stick and dab a little peanut butter and I'm good.  It beats glider foods.  I even keep cheese cut up in cubes and can grab one or two of those.  If you have to munch, pick something that is low calorie and low fat.  We gals will have to fight this beast the rest of our lives…I'm glad to hear that your tweak is working. 

 Merry Christmas Eve Eileen and OFF Family,
I hear you about our Moms and their lack of understanding about today's job market.  My Mom talks about how poor they were before my Dad got the job he had gor 25 years before he died.  Also, they had no medical insurance, so she doesn't understand how expensive things are without it.  She has no empathy for my son who can't find work in Pittsburgh.  

I hope your packing goes well.  When I first moved to Bristol, I used a lot of liquor store boxes, as they are strong and compact, easy to pick up.  But, this time, I bought my boxes, because going into a liquor store is too much temptation for me.  

Today, ,my Munchkins are in town, and I am also baking and working on the bedspread.  Tonight, my sister is having dinner at her house, and my Munchkins will be there.  Can't work on the bedspread then.  I want to surprise Isabel with it in her Christmas presents, even though she knows I am making it.

Have a blessed Christmas everyone.  I pray you all have time to reflect on God's awesome love for us, and our love for Him and each other.

Hugs,
Trish

Trish, I just don't want to bring in dirty boxes that might have bugs in them, not with a cat who would pick up fleas. But I do see what you mean about going into liquor stores being a temptation. I just decided to buy the boxes and if I don't use them all, I can bring them back.

Enjoy your Munchkins, Trish, and have a wonderful Christmas.

Merry Christmas Eve, y'all! 

I hope everyone is tucked up safe and sound somewhere this weekend.  Bad weather seems to be the theme for this Christmas.  

I know what you all mean about the job market these days.  My daddy went to work for Houston Lighting and Power when he was 19 years old, worked there his whole life, retired with full benefits, and my mom still collects those benefits!  Those days are long gone.  When I was working as an academic advisor at the University here, I used to tell my students that the average American could expect to change jobs 5 times over their adult life.  Not just change jobs, but sometimes actually change careers, too.  And a move was likely with most of those changes.  Times are tough for everyone.  And retirement is scary these days.  That's why my 67 year old husband will not give up his job yet.  I'm ready for him to retire, but he says the economy is too uncertain.

Well, anyway, didn't mean to get off on that topic.  What I meant to do was to tell everyone how much I appreciate the love and support and friendships I have found on this forum.  You all mean the world to me.  My family says my speech is peppered with "My friend (fill in the name of an OFF sista) says this" or "does this" or "went there", etc.  I know I will probably never meet most of you in person, but that doesn't mean the connections aren't real.  When I sign my posts with "love you all", I really mean it!

So I wish you all much love, peace, and joy this Christmas.  I wish you good health, happy times and much prosperity in the New Year, too.

Love you all!

Oh, Vickie, I wish we could have met ... I feel a kinship told all of my OFF "sistahs" ... that's why I call you family. All of you are more "sister" to me than my own sister.  I enjoyed talking with you the other day. I hope we can stay in touch.

Good morning Eileen and everyone....

It is a nice quiet and peaceful day here today. All shopping and wrapping is done. We are having our Christmas dinner tonight. Grace and Nic go with their dad tomorrow at noon for their Christmas gathering. So tomorrow once the kids leave I will be able to relax and watch Christmas movies and enjoy the day.

Wishing all of you safe travels wherever you are going. Have a wonderful Christmas !!!   I love everyone one of you. I can't image my life without you!! Thank you for the support, caring and love you show me every single day!!!

I am going to take a shower and relax!!

Prayers for all in need...a few special ones as well.

Merry Christmas!!!

Much love and many hugs.....connie d