Hi!  Did you have a nice Halloween?  I had about 40 trick or treaters and then turned the porch light off.  Abby was here today for a bit wth a GF- she went to the outlet mall to find some 'professional' clothes LOL.  I lost another 2 pounds so that is GOOD!  I also made some fruitcakes this afternoon- I'm cutting down on holiday baking this year but there are some things I just HAVE to do haha.  Did you hear from Target?  I saw a sign here that they were hiring but probably just seasonal help.  I love these next two months but it can be daunting not to gain weight.  My birthday is next Saturday too but I requested no cake and dinner at a Japanese restaurant where they cook at your table.  Not much else new here- I finished sewing and need some new projects that don't involve cleanng or goodies heehee.  

 Nan- good to hear from you!  We had a great halloween!  Haylie only trick or treated for about a block before she was done but Lexi was all over the neighborhood. 

Congrats on the 2 lbs. loss, you are doing fabulous!!  It is hard to lose weight over the holidays.  Really, Thanksgiving doesn't have to be too bad as long as you skip the pie and watch serving sizes.  Christmas is going to be hard at both sets of parent's- they both do finger type snack foods that are out ALL day long!  And, every year we make Christmas cookies, those will be hard to pass up.  I figure if I limit myself to 1 cookie a day for a snack it couldn't be that bad, right?  I love the peanut butter kiss cookies!

How is work going?  Have you been helping out your daughter with the school kids?  Did your grandson's have a nice Halloween?

 Hi Amber; I wonder how Pat is doing?  The boys sure got wear out of their Halloween costumes- party at school, church, cub scouts, and then trick or treating LOL.  Monica lets them eat as much candy as they want the first day or two and then she gives it away or tosses it.  I did the same; sugar never seeemed to affect my kids behavor-wise that I noticed.  I'm off to work today but I'll be able to buy a few groceries for myself- at least some baking supplies.  I found packages of cream cheese at Aldi's for 80 cents each and I boought 6 of them.  I could use some more pecans- at least, they have come down in price here.  Last year client and I made a lot of chex mix for her to give to friends.  She's been grumpy lately so I doubt if she wants to give anything this year LOL.  Her rent went up $20 and you'd think it was $200!  You can't reason wth her so I just let it drop- she tells me 'Those people (US government) think I must have money.  Well, I don't" 

It's a beautiful morning here; I like it when we go off DST because I can see when I walk Fiver LOL but I'm always ready fro the longer days in April too!  What are your Thanksgving/Christmas traditions?  Do you cook or go to relatives?   We always lived too far away to visit anyone at Thanksgiving so I usually invited neghbor/friends and hosted.  I remember the first year a neighbor and I decided we'd cook together.  I roasted the turkey and she had to call her aunt to find out how to make stuffing.  My mom never had us do much in the kitchen besides make brownies and boxed cake but  could read a cookbook! 

 I have been thinking about Pat too, I wonder if she has gone to the Mayo Clinic yet.  I can't remember the date she said, I will have to look back at older posts.  Hope all is well with her.

I lost 2 lbs. this week.  This week was also my first "cheat day"  on Halloween I had dinner at my parent's which was all finger foods.  I could have eaten right but I chose not too.  So, I am glad I lost 2 lbs. this week instead of gaining.  I had such a tummy ache though after cheating, I regretted it right away!  The girls each get a piece of candy for afternoon snack and one for nighttime snack.  Haylie loves chocolate!  Lexi likes most candy too, but doesn't like peanuts in candy.  It is weird because she will eat peanuts plain.

Thanksgiving we do over here.  My parents and inlaws come over.  I think this year our parent's are bringing most of the food since we don't have any money!  Christmas Eve, we spend with my parents, and Christmas with his.  I hope to continue to lose over the holidays, it is going to be a challenge!!

 Is it Wednesday already LOL?  I made some really tasty chicken noodle soup from that organic chicken I roasted Sunday. I added FF broth, onions, carrots, celery, and added green beans and peas and whole wheat noodles; it was GOOD and I have a lot left for client, today and to freeze.  I made it my largest pan too.  I also made a batch of pecan chocolate fudge and froze that- i didn't taste a morsel LOL. 

Great about your continuous weight loss!  My sister called me last night and she is going to join a program that has frozen food; I know she won't stick with it but I kept my mouth shut.  Her problem IMO is she doesn't cook much so she tends to eat fast food/frozen stuff a lot and then snack beause she's still hungry- no fiber.  It's HARD as you and I know.  I refuse to give up.  Do you have a visual in your mind, Amber?  A slimmer, smiling face with body to match?  One of my visuals is picturing myslef older- it's a  fact that you rarely see overweight older people.  You probably haven't thought about that much but it's true- most people in their mid 70's to 80s or beyond are thin!  Sometimes I think of Abby without a mother or father and that motivates me or a mother who can't get around much because of joint problems.  I have an online friend who is considerably overweight, 5 years younger than I am and has to use an electric cart at the supermarket.  She just can't walk far any more.  She keeps saying she'll lose the weight after the holidays or her birthday, etc- NO EXCUSES for us, right Amber? 

So today I'm off to walk and help Monica a bit and then straighten up my house-to MOVE around!  Have a great day.   NaN

 I bet your chicken noodle soup was great!  I am making vegetable beef soup for dinner tonight.  Wish me luck-  last time I tried making it homemade it didn't turn out so hot.  I have a recipe from my mom to follow this time though!  I love soups and as long as they aren't cream based they are so healthy!

I don't think I could do an all frozen meal plan like your daughter.  I wouldn't last long.  At first on this diet, I was eating a lot of lean cuisines but that got old so fast!  They are nice to bring with to the inlaws if they are making something I can't eat though. 

Nan, what a great choice you made to get healthy.  You are right about older people being slim for the most part.  The ones you do see that are over weight are often in wheelchairs.  I want to be healthy for my girls.  Also, my mom having type 2 diabetes, I don't want to have that.  I also want to look reasonably good in a swimsuit next summer!

Keep up the great work Nan!!

 Hi Amber- sorry I haven't posted.  It was my birthday the 7th and I have been out to dinner or lunch 4 times LOL!  I tried to eat pretty healthy but still not real good choices but I haven't gained- just no loss.  My schedule is looking reallly full so I need to sit down, make some lists and prioritize.  We're having a big auction for the school and I have to get the 'three kings room' (sort of like a secret santa)ready for the school (that requires setting up and getting more things for the kids to purchase for holiday gifts) and my son will be here that week of the 9th.  I have to get in organization mode.  Today I am staying at home and seeing what I need to do and buy!  then i want to start my baking which emans use up the food in the freezers so I have more room LOL.  Our woman's group always has a cookie exchange when we hang the greens at church and my Sunday school class wants a party.  I'm just hoping I am so busy no time to eat heehee.

I didn't realize your mom had diabetes- you probably told me early on and I forgot.  Is she on insulin?  Client has had it ever since I have known her- she was on glipizide and metformin but now has to take insulin once a day and actoplus which is a different type of metformin.  I try to educate her but most is like talking to a wall- she eats a lot of starches and very little fruit/veggies; no sugar but the white stuff should not be in her diet at all.  It's funny because when I take her soup/chili/pinto ebans she eats those right up but she won't cook any for herself.

Abby will be here tomorrow- she has a dental appointment; she has a little cavity and dentist told her a filing she got when she was 7 or 8 needs to be replaced by a crown!  It's the only one in her mouth so I am not sure they're trying to get $$, but we do have dental insurance and she probably won't have it after she ages out of my plan.  So they will do part one tomorrow and she'll come back in 2 weeks to have the crown put on.  Supposedly will only cost $350 for all after the insurance pays...

I have decided to work at the shelter again Thanksgiving for the homeless- this year they're having it in a gym and hope to have more families.  My sister will host a little get together at her house.  Have you ever cooked a turkey, Amber?  I bought one for 67cents a pou8nd and am waiting to see if they come down.  I will roast two for the shelter (I have an electric roaster ) too) and make gravy, stuffing and mashed potatoes to donate- plus a couple of sweet potato pies.  Last year I made pumpkin and I had several gents ask me if we had sweet potato; must be a Southern thing LOL.  that's it here- I will try to post more often.  Have you started holiday shopping yet?  I actually wrapped two things yesterday- a set of Roald Dahl books for Mason and a big book on 500 best books for Abby.  I am telling my sis no gift for me this year and since my little sister won't be here, I'll probabaly just send them a wii game for the family.  I won't have much shopping to do- just a couple of things for the boys, something for Monica to open, and I usually give soninlaw a gift card plus I give all three of my kids some cash.  I usually buy for a boy from our local boys home but most are going to our church now!  They were so appreciative of us helping them out, the director brings them about every Sunday- really nice boys who have been abused/neglected by their familes so they live in a group home instead of foster care.  Some go home for the weekend- I know a couple personally now. 

Give the girls a hug from me.  Only a couple of weeks until Santa comes.  In my hometown, we had a parade the Friday after and Santa rode in a firetruck and threw out candy.  He then went to his little house (it was permanently sitauted in a prime location) and you could visit him.  We always begged to visit him after the parade so the lines were longs and it was SO COLD!!!  Keep on your diet and taking the alli; I just popped my capsule and had a ww English muffin with turkey sausage.

 Hi Nan!  I wrote you a long reply but it got rejected, that is the 2nd time that's happened to me.  I think they want people to stick to weightloss only posts or something??  My last post had a few of our Christmas traditions and what we got the girls for Christmas, supposidly I can't write about that?  Have you had that problem?  It makes me want to stop posting on this site, I wish there was pm's on here or we had another way to keep in touch.

I am down 3 lbs. this week.  I really need to start excercising though, to get some muscle tone!  I just can't seem to get the motivation!

Hopefully you will get some time to relax Nan, you are always sooo busy :)  Have a good week!!

 That's happened here twice too and my last post was way too long and personal and after I posted it, I though it would be rejected LOL.  BTW (hint hint) I still have AOL as a provider and this goofy screen name as an address.  As for the alli, I have been taking it regularly this past week YAY!  I got on the scales yesterday and was pleasantly surprised to see I it was down 3 pounds...maybe a fluke but I'll take it!

I just had a Lean Cuisine for lunch- not that great but I'm trying to clean out that freezer.  Abby was here Weds. night and left yesterday after her dental appointment; I made her chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes.  I am going to make some potato soup for tonight- it seems my potatoes rot pretty fast so I'm not taking chances and I also have plenty of onions!

I am going to scrub the bathrooms and kitchen floor so had best get at those fun chores.  I just finished 2 books and have a new one waiting for me.  I'm almost at 100 read this year!  Write me if you have time.  NaN

 Hi Nan- great job with remembering to take your Alli :)  Also fantastic weightloss this week!

I am hoping to lose some this week.  I weigh myself every day though and my weight has been holding steady.  I can't be too down on myself though, I haven't weighed this amount in 5 years, it feels great though I still have a lot to lose.

Went shopping with my mom yesterday w/out the girls!  It was so nice.  My mom bought me some jeans, if I drop 2 more sizes, I will be in regular women's clothes instead of plus size!  That will mean so much to me and be such a milestone!  I have shopped plus sizes for 6 years now. 

Pat- if you are reading, we are still thinking of you and hope you are doing ok.