Healthy Choices Weekender November 7-8, 2009

Good morning everyone,

It looks like it will be another nice Fall weekend, here.  Sunny and temps in the 60s, we can't ask for more than that in November. :)

Good news for us, Ken called and asked if we would pick up the trips from the school bus, yesterday.  It was so nice seeing them after so long.  They looked as though they grew two inches and Gabi is letting her hair grow long.  She looks so cute.  The trips were so happy to see us and we all had such a nice time.  Hope we'll be getting more time together.  The trips didn't want to go home. When their DD came to pick them up, they asked if they could spend the night with us.  LOL 

Tonight we baby sit too, but a  little bundle of fur.  For everyone who has so much fun with their little, or sometimes not so little pets, I wish you could see how cute Gizmo is.  LOL  He's a Papillon and very smart and well behaved.   We've watched him before with no problems.   He belongs to Tom's friend Laura.   So Gizmo will be spending the night here.  DH will want to go buy  one as soon as he's gone.  lol   This will be fun.....

Will check the last half of yesterday's posts the next time I check on.  Hope everyone will have a nice weekend.  Take care and God bless. Jo Ann 

Good morning Jo Ann and all those that come by later. We had a windy day yesterday - steady winds of 20-25 mph. Today should be calmer, but it supposed to rain most of the day. Dh has gone hunting with ds this morning and I'm getting ready to meet a friend for coffee and then to pick out some fabric for a baby quilt for the new baby. This friend loves to quilt (and does a beautiful job); so, I am paying her to make a baby quilt for the new baby. It should be fun. Of course, it won't be ready for me to give to Becky at the shower this afternoon; so, I had to buy some cute clothes to give as my gift. lol There will be another shower in early January; so, I will probably wait and give her the quilt then.

Shirley, I believe you asked whether or not ds' partner would let me be a hands on grandmother and the answer is most definetly Yes. She is a very nice girl and we get along well. We have a lot of the same interests and we enjoy being around her and her girls.

I can't believe how active we were on here yesterday. It was fun to read all the posts this morning.

Jo Ann, I am so happy that you finally got to spend some time with the trips. How long had it been? I think at their age, they can change a lot in just a matter of days. How did Frank like the leaf blower? Did he get the yard all taken care of? Thank you for posting your pumpkin chocolate chip cookie recipe (again). I actually made your recipe last year and we liked it very much. However, this time I was looking for something with oatmeal and raisins or craisins in it. I had had something similar from one of those cookie places in the mall when I was in Denver last week.  Have fun taking care of Gizmo.

Maureen, thanks for posting and emailing the recipe. I have printed it off and will try it soon. I bought one of those 3-packs of large cans of pumpkin at Costco last week; so, I will be looking for ways to use up the pumpkin. I hear you on the dh and going to the doctor. It sounds like your dh & my dh have the same thinking when it comes to doctors.

Barb, your house does sound cozy with the candles and lights, etc. Where do you find the different lights to put on your mantle. I would like to try something like that for our mantle. Do you entertwine the lights with something (i.e., greenery)? Or, just lay them on the mantle. Right now, I have a lace mantle scarf on there and various sizes of candles in clear, glass holders on there. Any suggestions?

Pat, thanks for letting us know about Chris. I'm sorry to hear that Lynn is still not feeling well. How sweet of Kenny to "take care" of her while she is sick. Sometimes those little guys really surprise us. Well, actually the big guys can surprise us, too. Just the other day, ds came into my office, came around my desk and gave me a big hug! Unfortunately, he had come to tell me that his friend's brother had been killed in a car accident. The boy was just 17 (he would have turned 18 the next day) and was driving home at night, was going too fast and missed a curve and was thrown about 25' from the rig and was killed instantly. Unfortunately, he wasn't wearing his seatbelt. When he didn't come home when he was supposed to, his parents went looking for him and hit a deer and totaled their car. So, they called their other son (ds' friend) to go look for him and he found him. So sad...

Verna, you do have a buzy weekend. I checked out your cereal cookie recipe and it is the same as mine. They are very good and even better if you toast the nuts before putting them in the cookies - jmho.

lusi, glad to hear that Leo's luggage made it before he had to take off again. Maybe next time he will listen to you. I hope you are feeling better today. If not, maybe you need to light some candles and do some ironing. ;-)

Julie, it sounds like you know what you are doing when it comes to dealing with the disability, unemployment, etc. Will you be able to substitute in the school kitchen between now and when your other job starts?

Viny, since you are short on shopping time this year, you might want to think about doing some of your shopping online. Just a suggestion. A lot of the internet sites are offering free shipping or other incentives to get you to buy online.

I think next year we will either just draw names between the adults and just get the grandchildren something; or, just not get the adults gifts and just give to the grandchildren. I'll have to ask the kids and see what they think. I'm pretty sure they will want to go with the latter.

Okay, I better get off here and get something done before I have to leave. I'll check back later.

JoLynn

Good morning everyone.  Just checking in quickly before I grab a bite of breakfast.  Then my former manicurist is coming to do my toenails....we go out for lunch afterwards.  Today will probably be either Thai or Chinese....and that suits me just fine!  I'm starving!  Last night I made the worst meal I think I've ever made.  Did a chicken breast in a foil packet with sliced red potatoes, carrots and onions.  I seasoned it with S&P and garlic.  Baked it for an hour.  The potatoes and carrots were still hard but the chicken was done.  So I nuked it to cook the veggies.  It was disgusting.  I'd sprinkled in a bit of thyme...I love the smell of it.  I could barely choke down a couple of bites.  Molly got the chicken and the garbage was the recipient of the veggies.  I ended up with PBJ.  So...after that...I'm in the mood for something highly seasoned.

We'll do second interviews for three applicants this afternoon.  I'm ready to get one hired and trained.

DS actually has Thanksgiving off this year.  Hallelujah!  He has class Wednesday but will come up afterward.  He's such a big help in the kitchen.  Don't know if any of the rest of the family will come but we'll have Joe and I'm inviting my friend Barb and her two boys (she's having a knee arthroscopy 11/13 so she doesn't need to stand and cook).  DD and her SSO (Semi-Significant Other) ....who knows what they'll do.  DGD and the DGGDs will be at her inlaws...as usual.  But we'll have a good time and a good meal...time to start making cornbread for the dressing.

OK...got to eat something...think it will be a Chocolate Royale SlimFast...I love that stuff!  Back later....y'all have a blessed day!

vammie

I'm sitting here laughing thinking of Leo's lost luggage.  I rememeber a Flip Wilson quote.

"If they can fly this  this plane from New York to Los Angeles and find the airport, why can't they find my bag ?" 

Good morning kids.  It rained all night and I am sure I heard every drop.  I was dozing on the sofa when I awoke with terrible heartburn.  Then my tummy started hurting.  Then the problem went south.  Shoot, I could easily have my colonoscopy this morning without having to down that terrible medicine.

When DH got up, he said he woke up at midnight with  terrible heartburn and a tummy ache.  So, I guess it was what we ate.  Which was really nothing.  I didn't feel like cooking and he'd had a big lunch so I just fixed Tuna Sandwiches....but I put onions in them. 

My system is too touchy for some things these days I guess.  I don't kow how Verna can eat all that hot stuff. 

Maureen and Pat, I think if you go into TOH country store or whatever it's called you'll find those rings. 

Jolynn, you are going to think I'm crazy but I got these lights in the garden section of Target.  They had all kinds of them.  They probably don't have them out now. 

I have poinsettias with lights in them for Christmas.  And I will put those on my big mirror too.

When I get tired of those things, I just put fake icy garland and a small string of white lights through it. 

Heather and her friend are watching a movie.  They will be here until DD gets off at 2. 

Guess I'll go take a shower so I can wake up. 

I'll be back later.

Barb

Vammie, how can you mention eating when I'm feeling this way.  That's just cruel !

Jo Ann, forgot to give you a High 5 on getting the Trips.  How far do they live from you ?  You've probably told us but my memory is as sluggish as the rest of me this morning.

Hi Barb,

I'm sorry you and DH had such a difficult night. I hope you'll be feeling better today.  I like the idea of keeping lights on the mantle.   One plug in lights it all.   Right now  have lots of fall leaves and some flemeless candles on mine, but most of the time I forget to put each candle on in the evening. When I do, it's a nice affect.  I'll have to remember to do that tonight.

It's been about two months since we have seen the trips.  See my email later....The trips live about 15-20 minutes from us depending on traffic.  In the early morning, when we used to go to get them off to school, we could sometimes make it in 10 minutes. 

Vammie, good luck with the upcoming interviews.  When I worked, I found it one of the most difficult things to do.  Interviewing and hiring people isn't as easy as you would think it is. I had one incidence when I hired someone who turned out to be so much trouble, we didn't know what to do with her.  She got past her 30 days of probation just fine, but then everything went downhill from there. I wonder what she's doing now.....

Sorry your dinner didn't turn out well, last night. It sounded like a good idea.  I've seen those recipes using a foil packet and always thought of doing one of them.  I guess I'll pass on that now.

JoLynn, your mantle decorations sound beautiful.  When I use real candles, I enclose them in a glass hurricane cover or other glass container too.  It just seems safer that way. With all the leaves I have on mine now, for Fall, though, I just resorted to the flameless pillers.

Good Morning!   You all are up and wide awake this morning (except Barb).   DH is getting cement at Lowe’s and I’m sneaking on here before starting whatever it is I’m doing.   Today I better work outside since the temps will be in the 60’s.   I don’t think rain for tomorrow, but you never know.   If any, it will be sporadic and not cold.

I cleaned out the freezer in the side by side frig yesterday and I couldn’t believe how much was stuffed in there.   No wonder I can never find anything to use.   Threw out a lot and now I can see everything.   I’ve made a rule to put mostly everything in the chest freezer.

Jo Ann, I’m so glad you got to visit with the trips.   I think it’s rather sad you can’t have them for a sleepover just for the fun of it.   Kim would agree to it whenever I wanted, but it’s me that balks at it.   Ava has been asking more lately, so we will let her stay over 1 day next weekend.   I don’t think she will sleep by herself in the room next to ours, so DH brings the twin mattress into our room and she sleeps there.   At her house, she never asks to come into her mom’s bed anymore.   It’s taken time, but a lot of this is insecurities from the break-up.   She isn’t so clingy with her mom like she was.

Back to you, all you can do is respect the parents’ wishes.

To the furry ones, I love little Papillons.   Did you know the nickname is butterfly dog because of those ears of theirs?

Think that company you worked for needed more than 30 days of probation, my sis had  3 months.

Jolynn, I bet it is exciting with the anticipation of the new arrival.   When is Becky due?  

I am going to try that cookie recipe too just to see how it comes out.   I need to look at Jo Ann’s too.   I like it how you have your mantle decorated.   Actually I’m getting ideas from all of you.   So sorry to hear of the young man who was killed – very sad story.

Verna, Thai or Chinese would suit me just fine.   We don’t eat it much because it isn’t high on DH’s preferred list.   The idea for your dinner sounded so right, sorry it didn’t turn out.   We had shrimp planned for Wed night with Kim here and as she’s peeling them, I thought they smelled way too fishy.   I rinsed them and still wasn’t happy with the smell but sautéed them and seasoned and tried one and it had the strangest taste.   I had her taste and then we had DH taste.   They left it up to me and I threw them in the trash.   I didn’t want it to wreck my taste for shrimp in the future or maybe get sick.   We had the fried rice and salad all done so I real quick chopped up some tenderloin pork I happened to have and cooked that.   Next time I’m only buying the frozen shrimp.

Verna, I think what’s important is that your son will be able to come to Thanksgiving dinner, the others you will enjoy, but he’s the special one.

Barb, isn’t it funny how you and Paul got the same symptoms?   Hope you feel good today once you’re awake.  I found those rings last night on a blog and she had a picture of herself rolling out a crust using one.   She also likes something else that is square but I sure don’t remember the name of it.   This website wouldn’t let me get into the country store.   Will try again.

Better get a move on – clear blue sky outside and it looks so pretty, I better enjoy it while I can.

Hi Maureen,

It sounds like you accomplished so much yesterday.  Too bad about the shrimp, but I would have done the same thing if the smelled too strong or tasted strange.  I live by When in doubt, throw it out.....

We have to be satisfied with, if and when, we get to see the trips, but whenever we do, it's always a special time for all of us. 

JoLynn, I know you'll have fun at the shower today.  The quilt sounds like a wonderful gift for the next one, too.    How lucky you are to know someone who can make that for you.  It will be such  a special gift.

 I'm so sorry about your son's friend's brother.  What a tragic accident.

Back to work.  Till later.....Jo Ann

Jo Ann, to look at it in a positive light, you don't resent having to watch the trips and they definitely enjoy their experiences with you.   In a way, their parents might be pretty smart.   It can get tiring if too often.   I think this is closer to how my son would be if we lived down there.  I know from conversations I've had with him, he wouldn't want to overdo.   He thinks his sister takes way too many liberties.   I might complain some but at days end, I am happy for the experience.   And with Ava asking to spend the night, she definitely has fun.

In the end the parents are in charge and we have to respect their wishes.

Maureen, you're right.  When Ken and Judy have, in the past, had to ask us to baby-sit three times in one week, they apologized over and over.  We keep assuring them that it's our pleasure.  I do remember, though, being VERY tired that week. LOL   

Did any of you get the TOH Annual Recipe book in the mail ?  I got one yesterday and I didn't order it and don't want it.  Now, in order to send it back, I have to call them to send me  a shipping label or I'm supposed to be able to print one from here but I haven't looked for it yet.

Ticks me off a bit !  Actually, I think if  someone sends you  something that you didn't order you are supposed to be able to keep it at no cost. 

I guess it's no big thing but it's an annoyance to me to have to do to the trouble of sending it back.

It's pouring out there.  We went to town and I picked up my book and stopped to get some chamomile tea.  They had some with Valarian in it but I wasn't sure about mixing that with prescription meds so didn't get it.

DD just told me that MJ, Landen and his daddy are going to be in a fashion show next week.  Probably representing the store where she works.

Well, I guess I'll get off here and come back in the morning.  You all have a nice evening.

Just a quick note to let y'all know I'm gonna email a few pics from graduation but they'll be from my other email, which you'll know because the first part is my name.  This is not the email you have listed.

Everything was very nice, and he is  now "Officer ---."  He is assigned to the northwest part of the city, which was his first choice. 

The main news around here is still the shootings at Ft. Hood.  Found out one of the victims worked in the same clinic my husband worked in when he was out there. The guy was a physicians assistant.

Will check back tomorrow. Y'all watch for email.

I think we're out of luck on getting any of the rings to use as a guide for rolling out our pie dough.   No such thing through TOH.   I found a blog site that had pictures of them with a website to go to for ordering.   But they don't carry them anymore.   On the blog, they were called Perfect-A-Pie.   Then I found something else that called them Perfect-A-Crust and that isn't available any longer either.   So I think we've reached the end of the road.   We'll have to perfect our own crusts:)

Barb, I didn't get the TOH cookbook and hope I don't.  I'm very disappointed that Reiman would engage in that kind of business practice. 

The fashion show sounds like it will be fun to see and an opportunity for some good pictures. lol

Pat, thanks so much for sending the pictures of your DS's graduation.  He does look handsome in that uniform.  What a proud moment for the entire family.

Is this the pie crust ring you are looking for: www.kitchenkrafts.com  ? On the right side at the top of the page, go to "What would you like to learn" then on the drop down menu click on "Create a perfect pie crust" and you'll see the two piece pie crust set for $9.95. on the second page.

Hope this helps.

Time for bed soon, so, till morning, have a good night's sleep.  Jo Ann