Nic:

Loved your thoughts about your "word" for last year and your new word for this year. You really have insight into what you are about and the changes you want to make. I have not decided on my word yet. Nothing has come to me yet.

Thanks for the recipe. I copied and pasted it onto my laptop. I am going to look at three of them before making the decision to make one of them or a combination of the three. I can't get the ingredients for a few days because it is brutally cold here! -14 actual temp and -34 with wind chill. Glad Blue is in SF!!!

I think I "get it" about your mom. I, too, had some challenges growing up, but nothing like yours. I remember the moment I came to the conclusion that if I knew my mom as someone other than my mom, I would think that person was immature. But it is so hard when you are a kid to think that about your mom. Plus, my mom was great in so many ways. Sorry about what you experienced. I think your DH's comment was so profound. He sees it for himself now and starts to think of those same behaviors happening when you were a young child, and he is amazed at how strong and whole you are today

I loved the look back at your year. Yes, I agree that "balance" did happen for you in many areas. It was fun for me to read about all the different circumstances, because I feel in many ways I went through them with you (as did everyone on this board).

I hope this next year sees you getting on top of your eating and you can find that sweet spot in getting to your goal and maintaining. Opps, maybe the wrong choice of words....sweet spot.

Celebration at IHop. I love it. Love that you went directly there after escorting them to the highway!

Happy I know you. Even if it is only through this forum.

K-Mom 10x4

Jaz:
Glad you have made the decision to stay in Atlanta. Hopefully, something will open up within the company. Or like you said, plenty of other opportunities for you. You are such a go-getter! I know you will find something!

Let me know which soup recipe you decide on. I posted the one I am most likely to go with above. I like the idea of the jump-start for winter. This is not our woe, but a DIET within our woe. I love how we always go back to the eating path we know is right for us. But, unfortunately, we veer off course too many times....at least I do.

I was talking to my sister the other day and we both agreed that if we did not keep trying, we could easily be 400 - 500 lbs. That kind of weight is in my family. Definitely a genetic thing. But we continue to try and I am convinced that is what is most important.

I like your description of wanting to get to a "healthy weight". Not a size 4 or 6. Whatever weight you feel healthy at. I think you will know when you are there.

I am for sure on board for trying extra hard this year. I have that cruise coming up in July and want to be in good shape and down quite a few pounds. I don't want it just to be a short January kind of thing where I am all focused and determined, and then do not follow through.

Hope you have a great Saturday!

K-Mom 10x4

Lori:

That just makes me crazy that people go out without a coat or hat or mittens. Hopefully, she had them in the car in case she needed them. I will do that once in a while. If it is just a short jaunt into the store, I might where a lighter jacket, but will have my winter one in the car. Man, even with the cold temps back here, students (mostly middle schoolers) think it is really cool to just wear hoodies when they are outside. So much peer pressure at that age.

Say, I apologize if you have already given me your chili recipe. It seems to me you have. Since Jaz wants it too, would you mind giving it again. Thanks.

Hope you have a great time with your sister. Sisters are so special. At least for most people. I think of Meghan Markle and how happy she is to marry Prince Harry. Any yet her half-sister is writing a tell-all book about Meghan. That makes me sad. I don't know the truth about all of this, but it seems a tell-all book is never right.

Glad it is all highway/turnpike driving to your sister's house. Do you remember years ago when it was not? Man, I sure do. I remember there always being lengths of the road which were not the highway. I can remember perusing a map and seeing how often we would be on the highway and being thankful for that. But it seems like nowadays, the offloads are better. My sister and her husband like to go the "scenic route" to most places, even if it adds a few hours to their trip. Being a widow, I like to stay on the highway and get there as fast as I can. I feel so much safer on the highway.

Hope your day at work is a good one. I am thinking there are less returns? Or maybe that continues for a few weeks.

K-Mom 10x4

Good Morning!

A balmy 8 degrees this morning! Much warmer than what KMom is experiencing! Brrr....I just heard that this unseasonably cold weather will continue for another 10 days.

It is even too cold for my cat to get up early. DH & I got up at nearly 7 o'clock and she was downstairs waiting patiently. Wish that could be a daily event.

Sorry girls, but I don't have a chili recipe. I just brown some ground beef and add it to a couple big cans of diced and/or crushed tomatoes. I also put in chopped veggies like red & yellow peppers, some mushroom slices and sometimes cabbage for bulk since I don't add beans. I have also added zucchini and even slice brussels sprouts one time! I saute the veggies before adding the tomatoes & meat. As for spices, I don't measure anything. Just a little of this and a little of that. I make a big pot and let it simmer for a couple hours. I like it a bit spicy as I like to add a dollop of sour cream when I eat it.

As for my "word of the year" I am having trouble coming up with one. I was leaning toward something to do with happiness as a few months ago I heard something that has stuck with me. It was "You are only as happy as you make up your mind to be". I have a tendency to see the glass as half empty instead of half full. I'm aiming to change that.

I am going to make our traditional New Year's dinner of Pork & Sauerkraut later today. We would typically have it tomorrow, but since I am off today, I decided we'd have it today. In this part of the country, pork & sauerkraut is supposed to bring you good luck in the new year. At least it's a good low carb option...just have to forgo the mashed potatoes that I make for DH.

Ok...time to wrap this up. I have to venture out to the grocery store sometime later, not looking forward to going out in the cold.

Later!

OMG I HATE TO BE COLD! BRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!

KMOM- What a thoughtful post to each of us! I hear ya loud and clear on being 400-500 pounds. People don't set out to weight that much. It does happen, a vicious cycle of eating.
It IS important to never give up. Another thing too- weight like money and age is relative.
I used to think that a size 10 was HUGE- Now I would love to be a healthy size 10. I used to think 40 was very OLD- I still laugh at that one!!!!!!!!!

A funny story about that. So long long ago, I was in my early 20's I had a friend in her early 40's , single and dating. I actually ask her why she was going to such a fuss for her dates, "nobody cares what you look like at that age!"- OMG I really thought that. Believe it or not she laughed at that and said- oh you just wait!
Well fast forward- I would love to be 40 again! add another 12 years of life left! All this to say it depends on what side one sits. LOLOLOL
It's relative.

So are you resting this weekend before gearing up for the SD? I know you have the patience of a saint! Are you still helping that gal next door with her English?

LEEANN- I did laugh at your descriptive post! AMEN- to the old folks gone! OMG, I don't see how you did that! Waited on her hand and foot. I would have been in a sheer panic if I was in your shoes too!

I don't know what you went through as a kid. Parents just don't know how much they can mess up a kid. I am glad you are who you are. Not to mention your DH- with a capital DEAR Hubby! What a keeper you have and so understanding.

I do know this is not the forum, but I sorta get the resentment. My mom and I too have a complicated relationship. She actually left when I was 10- and I didn't see her again until I was 22. She left in the middle of the night- took my brother and that was that. She missed my entire growing up.
I choose to forgive her. But I don't forget. She knows she messed up. what is odd is her she no longer speaks to her. Irony at it's best.

Enough of that- But I get it! I also know that people don't understand when I say it's ok to say no to one's parent. They are not owed anything really.

The best revenge however I was told once is to "live a very good and beautiful full life. Don't carry bitterness". I embraced that. I CHOOSE to have joy and happiness! It really is the best advice I have ever gotten in my life!

I love the word DISTILL- It was odd when I was reading it. But I liked how you explained it. Making priorities and not wasting time and energy on things that have no relevance. Time is precious! It's the very thing we can't take back or add to! You got it!

You are also thinking about how you want to be going forward- heathy! I know you will get this figured out how you need to be.
It will be fun to go through this wedding with you- and eventually the GRANDBABIES!

Lori- I hear ya on the cold! I had my "good luck pork" yesterday. I skipped the sauerkraut due to the salt!
I like that fact you are going to join use with a word- for the year. You will come up with something! Give it a few days- it will come to you. It can be a simple word like JOY!

My chili recipe is pretty simple too. I add beef and sausage to mine, couple cans tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth. I don't add a ton of veggies because the tomatoes are enough carbs. I do add a little onion and garlic. Sometimes celery, and a tiny bit of green pepper. I like mine hot too!
I with I could use sour cream! Dairy envy!!!!!!!

Safe travels to our travels friends!!!!!
--------------------------------------------
I gotta run. going to Greenville to see my "little man". Gigi/ Noah lunch. then back home later tonight before the crazy drunks hit the road!

I am golden today on my WOE- was yesterday as well!

Wow KMom, I thought we were cold but you guys are beyond frigid! Does it affect cars starting and stuff like that? Our temp this AM was 16 with a wind chill of 5.

Thank you for the many, many kind and thoughtful things that you say to me and to all the others. You are so appreciated. You are a very giving person.

I think your cruise being a motivation for you is excellent and July will be here before we know it! My late Feb trip is a motivation for me as well. Let's help each other keep the focus!

Re: Chili: Butter Bob has a good chili recipe that you can find online. That is the one I use. I add a good bit more spices but otherwise I follow it.

Lori- I'm glad your cat is cutting you a break! You can use it for sure.

I like the idea of your word focusing around Happiness. That affects all areas of your life in positive ways and it draws other people to you, IMO.

Jaz- Are you okay? You've dropped off a bit. I'm thinking of you!

••••••••••

Things are looking up here and boy am I glad about it. My Mom and her SO are on the road again today headed home. He, at 84, will only drive 45-50 MPH on the freeway so it takes them a VERY long time to get anywhere. He does it for gas conservation he says, but I have to wonder, if you are driving more slowly to conserve gas but then it takes you 11.5 hours to drive 440 miles (which would ordinarily be 7 hours) then aren't you using more gas due to the time driving? At the very least I would think it would come out even. But anyway, they are continuing on with Day Two and I know they will both be glad to get back home and get some rest.

Anyway, DD and her Fi went back and spent a night at their home (30 minutes away) last night with my encouragement. She's been here since the 22nd, and he has been here since the 26th. They needed to go home, check on things, get some good sleep as they were both saying they weren't sleeping well etc.

It was nice to wake up this morning and come down and have just the two boys upstairs still sleeping. DH of course came down also and poor guy, he has a cold now. He is not feeling great and has a hellacious work week coming up including having to go out of town. I feel for him, I really do. There has been too much illness in this house this break! I am still coughing some from my cold I had in mid December but mildly and otherwise I am feeling pretty good.

DH and all the guys (DSs and Fi) went to see the Star Wars movie last night. DD and I went to see the Pitch Perfect 3 movie which was decidedly average at best. Today is our usual NYE fun- Crazy Dinner and games. Crazy Dinner is a highlight for the kids and among the games is LCR which they all love and of course who doesn't love the chance to win some money? Don't know if we will make it up to midnight though, we will have to see. I am hoping we play Pie Face also.

Hope everyone gets a chance to check in and say Happy New Year either today or tomorrow!

Brrrr.....but so toasty warm in my house. I am so thankful for heat in my house.

I just copied all your chili notes onto the Hamburger Soup recipe. That way I can see all of them at a quick glance. I will look up Butter Bob online for the recipe Nic uses.

I sure miss Trig and Blue but I just wanted to let you know that you three rock my world. Who needs Trig and Blue? Just kidding. They are missed and it is not the same when someone is gone...never mind two at the same time!

I am sitting here seeing my granddaughter swinging in her back yard across the street. It is cold out, but swinging to her is therapeutic. It is the same for my SD.

I have been CapD the last few days and it feels so good. I don't want it to be a first of the year kind of thing. I am really not doing anything different...just keeping within my carb range. I want to start the soup as soon as I can. But that will involve a grocery run for me and that is not going to happen for a few days! I plan to substitute the soup for two meals. I also want to include the other ideas I have had the past couple of years....IF 16:8 and my TRUE plan (eating a combination of how BLue and TRig eat. I may only try to eat Trig's way two days a week and eat Blue's way the other five.

Nic:
I HOPE the Cruise is a motivation for me. Sometimes it can stress me out and work the opposite. I remember coaching the Alpine Ski team for Special Olympics in Utah. It was international competition. I wanted so badly to lose some weight and to make sure the team uniform fit me...snow pants and a winter jacket. Well, it barely did. I actually put on a few pounds before the competition. The hat fit good and the mittens!

How fun to wake up and only have the two boys upstairs. I bet there was a big sigh let out from you! Your NYE party sounds so fun. You are the queen of organizing special things and having traditions. I am impressed.

Lori:
Glad you got a little extra sleep thanks to the cat not waking you up! Thanks, too, for your thoughts on how you make your chili. I KNOW you have told me that before because when you first said you did not have a recipe..I was like...Rats, I have asked before and that is exactly what you said last time! I wrote it down for sure this time ONTO the Hamburger Soup recipe. If I ask again will you please gently tell me to look at that recipe!

I too am struggling coming up with my word for 2018. I am not going to rush it. I know what I want it to convey, but have not found the perfect word yet.

I hope you guys enjoy your NYE pork and sauerkraut meal. Jaz told me of frozen mashed potatoes at the grocery store and I bought them and loved them. I think they might be called Alexia. I am not going to eat them often, but I just thought if you were missing the potatoes with this meal, that might be an option.

Gotta go....I have not forgotten you, Jaz!

Messed up description of my TRUE plan.

It should have said...

TRig and BlUE...thus spelling TRUE.

Jaz:
I would love to be a size 12! But a 14 or 16 would be great too! Funny story about your friend in her early 40's! For sure our perspective on age changes as we get older!

SD is not coming this weekend. She was here for six days recently. She is so in love with her boyfriend. It is very sweet and I think a healthy relationship. It makes me smile. He puts the word "boyfriend" in front of his name every time he texts to her. So he will say something like "Boyfriend Brent is done taking a shower now." Or "Boyfriend Brent is wake up now." My favorite one is..."Boyfriend Brent loves girlfriend Tammy much!" (I changed the names)

Hope your enjoyed your Lucky Pork. Man, I don't get out much! I had never even heard of that. I totally have to watch my salt intake too. These meds are doing a number on me as far as my ankles swelling. So I am even more diligent watching the salt.

Hope you had a great visit with the little man! I think you might also get a healthy perspective on how your DD is doing and how they are holding up.

GOLDEN....Love that word. I have been GOLDEN too the last few days!

K-Mom 10x4

Leeann- think we were cross posting!

All is well- tickled the grand baby until I puckered him out!

chicken and green beans - no cheats!

check in tomorrow

HAPPY NEWS YEARS LADIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!- See you in 2018!
New beginnings!

KMOM- I loved your post to me- so personal and so poetic. I love your decereptive post of your Sd and her BOYFRIEND. Last I heard he was crazy about her and she was not in it. So awesome she got it- and they are ....... working on it! Makes my heart sing for ever so many reasons!
Oh so happy for you. You are such the kind hearted spirit. Really you are! I want to to know that about you too! Just something I sense.


I just want to say- I am ever privileged to enter another year with you ladies/ my friends!

Happy New Year!!

I hope the year starts on a positive note for everyone. All is well here except for the darn cold. It is -9 this morning.....yes.....that is MINUS 9!!! KMom, I can't imagine how cold it is where you are. This is nuts! Like you, KMom, I am so thankful for my warm home.

Jaz...glad you had fun with your little man. Special times for sure.

Nic...hope your NYE party was a blast. Hope your DH is not too sick with his cold. I know it is miserable. I am finally getting over mine.....it has hung on for a long time.

Missing Trig & Blue, but hope they are having a great time. Does anyone remember when they are coming home?

Slept in till nearly 7 again this morning! Amazing! I'm hoping the trend continues. I braved the scale this morning. Not as bad as I'd feared. I am up about 7 lbs from my low in 2017 which occurred on September 1st and probably lasted for about 20 minutes. I am down 15 lbs from January 1st last year, so I'm quite happy with that. Time to get serious about this thing. I am not going back to boot camp until Jan. 8th. Since I'm going to my sister's again this week, I would only be able to go once or twice and then be off a week again....trust me when I tell you that it's not worth the pain. My sister's building has a nice little gym and I will take some workout clothes along and ease into doing something.

Our pork and sauerkraut dinner was awesome last night. I took the recommendation of the lady at the meat market and got a pork butt roast instead of the normal loin roast. Boy was she right.....so, so moist and tasty. We have lots of leftovers, so Wednesday will be sauerkraut day again.

Working 2:30-7 today and then 4-9:30 tomorrow and that's it for the week. They are really cutting the hours now that the holiday is over. Works for me!

Looking forward to another year of friendship here with you all. ((Hugs))

Good Morning, Lovelies and Happy New Year!

Trig and Blue- I am saying first off that I have had about enough of this and you ladies need to come on back home to us! Enough of this off partying business!

Jaz- We cross posted before and I didn't even realize it!

You know, I honestly cannot imagine how it must have felt to wake up and have your Mom gone, and your brother too. I faced nothing like that and if I had, I don't know if I could move past it and have a relationship with that parent as an adult. You are a bigger person than I.
Help me with this though.. You wrote: "I choose to forgive her. But I don't forget. She knows she messed up. what is odd is her she no longer speaks to her. Irony at it's best." ---- I can't figure out the bolded sentence. What did you mean here?

So glad that you are getting to spend time with Noah and no doubt his parents are glad too! I know they must be so eager for a break. I hope you had an awesome time with him. You are a very good Grandma!

KMom- I love that you can look out and see your granddaughter swinging across the street. There is a part of me that would so love that. You are a lucky woman!! Then the other part of me realizes that however much I love my family I also desperately need some space and then I think- nah, thirty minutes away is good!

GOOD ON YOU for going ahead and getting CaptD and being on plan already. Well done, girlie!!

Very happy that SD has an SO and is a happy girl. How sweet it that!

Lori- Dang is it cold there (and in MN too!) Cold here as well- at least 20 degrees before normal- but just a touch of snow here and there on the ground. It would have been nice to have a good snowfall before this hard freeze came.

You are in a great place- down 15 from last year! Well done! I found those 15.

Agree with the butcher- pork shoulder or pork butt are key for moist pulled pork over the loin.

Glad you are getting to sleep in!!

••••••••••••

Well ladies, it is a new year and I am glad to be ringing it in with you! Love you guys!

I'm ready and motivated to go.

Last night was fun and everyone is still asleep. DD and Fi went home after midnight, the boys and DH are still asleep and DS19's GF is asleep in the (sanitized!) bedroom down in the basement. I'm enjoying the early morning hours as I do, looking forward to this last day of the holidays (maybe going to see The Last Showman?) and then looking forward to a schedule resuming again.

My immediate goals (within the next two weeks have a two week clean induction period to help me get back on track, re-join the Y during the free joining period, and attend at least one yoga class.

Secondary goals (health wise)- commence strength training/toning, drop 20 pounds by September 2018.

WHOO HOO! Let's get after it!

2018

Time to get this party started! 2018- or day of RECKONING as BLUE put it.
It is a day of reckoning- but it is also a day of new beginnings!
I am up 10 pounds from last year on this date. I am a little shocked. But this last year has been a struggle with my weight. I have written at length about it. No need to do it any more - just need to move on and tighten it up.

Leeann- I bet you are resting! Is everyone in your family now healthy? What did you do this weekend?
I think we were cross posting yesterday! So is your word going to to be: Distill? - It is somewhat along the same type of word I want.
The concept is the same. more at end of post! I know- make ya read the thing all the way through! HAHAHAHAH

Kmom- Have you been thinking of what you want 2018 to look like? I think it's a good idea to reflect and make goals once a year! I dislike the term resolution. Those are met to be broken!
Did you ever get your treadmill back?

Lori- I bet you are happy they are scaling back on hours. You might just keep the job if they let you have some freedom back! I know when the sun and warm weather comes back- you are headed to the golf course!
You are going back to your sisters? A 2.5 hour trip is very doable! So cool you have a sister you click with! I can't imagine it.
Do you have a word? Think about it- it a fun thing to do.
------------------------------------------------------------------
2018
I am ready to put 2017 to bed. It was a year of healing (surgery) and settling in. Now I am going to take the next steps- I have school and a move that will start in just a matter of weeks!

I am determine that this WILL be the year I hit goal for the LAST time.
I am becoming more laser focused on what matters to me. Like you Leeann- time to stop spending time on energy on things and tasks that are not fruitful. Time has to have purpose, and focus. I will need that in the next year to make my priorities.
My word is PURPOSEFUL. It must make sense to do something or I need to kick it to the curb. It is a more focused, drilled down life I want in the up coming year.

No more whining- just make it happen. (feel free to repost this say in 6 months!!!!!! HAHAHAHA)
I also will put more balance into finding my inner peace and not allow the job to get to me. I can see where I have allowed my work situation to stress me out at times.
I will be good - regardless. Time to refocus on ME- not a job!

Today- is fresh and new beginnings! I have actually started packing as if I am moving. I have taken down the tree and all the decorations and put it all into a moving box. Not to be unpacked until next year in a new place! It has begun.

Speaking of- I have 5 properties I am looking at this afternoon. I will list them in an email- so you all can follow along. There are 2 that sorta stand out to me. I will list those. I pretty much just want to see the other 3 but have ruled them out. But the realtor has already set up the run though so I will go.

Ok - ladies. No excuses - let get back on track! TODAY-