What's on your Wednesday Menu?

I hope you enjoy your trip.

Because our family is so huge we made the decision years ago that we only buy for kids until they turn 18. Then we have one big party on Christmas Eve and they all get their presents from family.

That party won't be happening this year. It will be so sad not to have it happen. But I just realized that I also will not be wrapping gifts this year. I am just ordering everything from Amazon and sending it to the kids, then the parents can gift wrap if they want to.

I have my lists complete except for two boys who are fifteen and still trying to figure out what to buy them.

Good morning!

The floor saga continues. They are sending in another company to complete redo the coving and bringing in industrial equipment to clean the adhesive off the floors. This means we have to close down early tomorrow because our team can't be in the room with the "strong chemicals" they will use. Doesn't this sound lovely? I'm adding a picture of just one spot of the high quality installation job.

Anyway, work has been quiet this week. That always scares me as much as when work is crazy. There seems to be no middle ground for me. I'm in the rough night sleep crew with most of you. But, my weight is back down a little bit after three days in a row of increase. I really watched what I put in my mouth yesterday and concentrated on protein.

QOTD: So, because my son passed on Christmas Eve, you can imagine that the holidays are very difficult for my family. It's been 15 years this year, but still, the holiday season is just painful to me and I can't seem to find a lot of joy. Though I do find joy in lots of other things and times. We now only get a few gifts for our 2 granddaughters and I do not do any decorating at all in my home. Too many terrible memories of that night. With the money we save by not doing up Christmas, we started taking the immediate family on "Family Vacation!!" We just love it. We don't go during the holidays, just random times. 2020 was February and Great Wolf Water Park. Just pre-Covid, and we had a blast. There is a lot of card playing, drinking, visiting, laughing going on. My husband and I provide the place to stay (hotel, AirBnB, etc) and transportation. We have only one rule for family vacation. Dinner together every night. Usually, my daughter and her family does the same activities as we do throughout, with my Son in Law taking a break from us every once in a while, and my son and his girl of the year will plan some adventurous activity for one or two of the days. But we go to museums, shows, parks, etc. and just be together. It is one amazing and wonderful thing that came out of losing our son. Precious time building memories trumps gifting I have found. Nobody seems to miss the gifting. This year we are booked in a brand new campground here in San Diego. Side by side slots for me and our son, and the rental of one of their little cottages for our daughter's family. For Fourth of July weekend. Sorry -- that drug on too long.

Menu:

B: 2 oz chicken salad w/1/4 c cottage cheese

L: baked egg with bacon

D: TJ chili lime burgers and refried beans. I went hunting these burgers down after hearing many of you mention them!

Peace everyone!

Don't be sorry! I think that is an awesome thing to do...you're right time together having fun is far better than any material gift. I am so sorry for your loss...I saw my grandma lose her two boys before she died. Something a parent just shouldn't have to go through! Hugs!

I can understand why holidays are difficult for you but it sounds like you've come up with an amazing approach. Memories Over Things is a great mantra!

Lisa, I can't even imagine the pain. You have such a sunny disposition and I admire you for that.

I am sorry that they made such a mess and glad that they are at least going to fix it. Sub-contracting usually is fine, but can cause this kind of grief.

I am sure I would never want to celebrate Christmas Eve again if it meant bringing up such horrible memories. I love your idea of taking a family vacation instead. I am thinking that next year, I might do the same thing.

On our family vacations, the meal that everyone comes to is breakfast. We set up the kitchen in one condo as the breakfast area and everyone contributes to the food, cooking, and cleaning up. One year my sister-in-law found fresh Georgia peaches and made cobblers. They were the best I ever tasted.

So sorry to bring up such a painful topic. It's lovely to hear how your family has come together and gotten closer when so many families fall apart--it speaks to what a strong family unit you created. XOXO

sorry to be a drag on your fun thread!!!!

Stop it--this is a support group, silly! We are happy to have everyone here no matter what moods we bring. The extreme ups and downs of life are all very real and it, impacts our relationship to food, which is why we are here!